A woman on course to shedding half her bodyweight aims to make a splash at the pool.

Susan Wood, 51, of Dunford Avenue, Bierley, who used to weigh 26 stone 9lbs, is delighted after losing eight stone 11lb in 14 months.

She now weighs in at 17 stone 11lbs and intends to take the plunge at the local baths for the first time in 27 years after recently buying a swimming costume.

She said: "The last time I went swimming my son was four years old - he's 32 next month."

Mrs Wood now aims to lose another four stone which would mean her losing the equivalent of half her body weight.

She admitted she has always been "big" but her dramatic weight loss was sparked off after a 50th birthday treat to London with her husband John, last year.

She said: "We were walking around and I just felt so tired all the time. In one incident as I was walking up the stairs I almost collapsed and was out of breath.

"That was when I knew I had to do something about it." Showing off her new figure she revealed one of the perks of her new figure was being able to wear trousers.

"I never really used to wear them, but now I can," she said.

Mrs Wood owes her weight loss to diet experts Slimming World. She has also scooped an award for losing the most weight in the class at Westfield Lane Sunday School in Wyke on Tuesday mornings.

Slimming consultant Pat Heffron said Mrs Wood was an inspiration to other class members.

She said "The weight loss has really boosted her confidence and has made a difference to her life.

"Susan has lost the weight healthily over the past year.''

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