A MUM-of-two who struggled to control her weight for 20 years has started her own group to pass on advice she has gathered from personal experience.

Kay Hulme, from Leigh, first joined Slimming World after the birth of her second daughter in 1996 when she weighed 13 stone and 11 pounds.

She managed to lose up to two stone at a time in two separate stints over the course of a year.

But work commitments led to her not being able to attend classes regularly and she gradually began to pile weight back on.

Kay got into a routine of losing weight for holidays which naturally became harder as she approached 50.

Now 53, Kay said: “My turning point came after a summer holiday and I realised I hadn’t been happy during the day when I felt more vulnerable and hid my body under baggy clothing.

“I realised that I needed to commit to going to classes f I wanted to lose weight and keep it off.”

Kay joined her nearest Slimming World class at Leigh Miners Welfare Institute on Kirby Road two years ago with her sister and stuck to a diet as well as going to the group’s exercise class.

Her new healthy lifestyle led to her reaching her target weight of nine stone and four pounds.

Kay added: “I have loved being part of a lovely, friendly, supportive class and I have made lots of friends for life.

"Before losing my weight I could only walk for two miles but now I go out and can do up to five miles without any trouble.

“I am also more confident now and love shopping for clothes.

"I also like trying new recipes and adapting ones that are more healthy.”

Kay’s first Slimming World classes will take place on Wednesday, September 5 at Bedford High School at 5pm and 7pm.