A BRACKNELL slimmer who lost 11 stone has been named ‘Woman of The Year 2016’ in her Slimming World group because of her inspiring weight loss.

Rachel Spalding has been chosen to represent the Easthampstead slimming group in the Woman of the Year 2016 competition, which aims to find the UK's top slimmer, after dropping from clothes size 30 to a size 14.

She embarked on her weight-loss regime more than a year ago, admitting she was worried she would die in her sleep if she didn't take action.

The 42-year-old said: "I started to worry about my health and was really worried that I will die in my sleep one night. I tried a meal replacement diet but it just left me feeling hungry and miserable. With Slimming World it’s completely different.

"I don’t feel deprived and after losing weight I’m the slimmest – and the happiest – I’ve been in such a long time."

Now 11 stone lighter, 42-year-old Rachel has already won the district Woman of the Year title for Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and goes on to compete for the national title and £3,000 cash prize in November.

"Losing the weight has made such a huge difference – it’s changed my life. I’ve got so much more energy and I can do things now that I couldn’t before. My fitness has improved and I enjoy being active now rather than thinking of it as a chore – I love to go for a run now. I’m more confident and I like the slim, happy, positive person I see in the mirror. I feel like a winner already, so being voted as my group’s Woman of the Year 2016 is just the icing on the cake."

Around one in four women in the UK and Ireland are severely overweight and at risk of suffering a range of healthy problems including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Slimming World’s Woman of the Year competition recognises the achievements of women in making long-term healthy lifestyle changes.