A BRIDPORT woman whose weight became such a problem to her has lost four-and-a-half stone and is now leading a slimming class.

Denise Chamney is only 5ft tall but weighed nearly 15 stone.

"I hated going anywhere new and meeting new people because they only saw my weight, not the person and I found people ignored me," she said.

She was so distraught after another dreadful evening out that she decided that when it came to sink or swim, she wanted to swim.

"I went along to the Slimming World class at St Mary's Church Hall in Bridport on a Tuesday night but it was frightening walking in there on my own. I thought people would think it was a lump of lard on legs," she said.

But she said she was amazed at how welcoming everyone was and how much food she could eat. "The support I got from the class was fantastic," she said. "I got hints and tips every week that helped my own weight loss and motivated me.

"You hear other people's problems and how they solve them, lots of new recipes and come away from class on a high, thinking if these people can lose weight so can I."

Denise, 50, added that the good thing was that the family are able to all eat the same food and she can still enjoy daily treats of chocolate and gin and tonic.

It's taken her four years and she hasn't yet reached her target weight - a closely guarded secret - but with four-and-a-half stone already gone, she is much more confident.

"People treat me like a human, not a fat lump," she said. "I now walk everywhere and play football without my legs rubbing together and feel so much fitter and healthier."

She has now become a Slimming World consultant and had her first class on Tuesday.

For more information about the Bridport class, call 01308 421568 or 07980 102502.