THE life of a Trowbridge woman has been made immeasurably better after she lost seven stone and picked up North Bradley's Slimming World Woman of the Year 2017.

Vicky Tomlin, 43, joined Sarah Dearden's North Bradley Slimming World group in January 2016, when she had a dress size of 22, struggled to walk upstairs and was very low on confidence.

But more than 18 months on, she has lost an impressive seven stone, now has a dress size of eight to ten, picked up the local group's slimmer woman of the year award and represented the group in the District Slimming World Woman of the Year 2017 finals in Bristol and was shortlisted to the last 40 women out of 50,000 from the South West.

"When I started out I never dreamt I'd be able to achieve all that I have. Losing the weight has made such a big difference - it's changed my life," said Mrs Tomlin, who suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

"My life is better, I have more energy and I'm much happier now - I definitely feel more comfortable in my own skin. I tried lots of different diets but they usually left me feeling hungry or miserable - or both. With Slimming World it's completely different.

"My family and friends are all amazed by how much I can eat and still lose weight. I really hope my weight loss can inspire other people to get started on their own journey and know that there's a whole group of people waiting to support them every step of the way - especially at the North Bradley group.

"The changes I have made have affected my whole family, my two sisters have joined the group and my partner has also lost seven stone by the changes we have made at home.

"I know a lot of people worry about joining a slimming club because they don't know what to expect. Right from the first moment I walked into my Slimming World group I felt comfortable and the support I've received is amazing."

If she wins the competition, she will go to the national finals in November with the winner taking home £3,000 or a five-day holiday to Dubai.

Sarah Dearden, who runs the North Bradley Group, said: "Vicky is a fantastic ambassador for Slimming World and what she's achieved is nothing short of incredible! She's a huge inspiration to everyone in our group and I hope she inspires other women - and men - in the area to change their lives in the same way."