A SLIMMER who felt too fat to attend weight loss classes has set up her own group.

Sarah Freeman was so unconfident at her heaviest weight that when her sister, Karen, suggested they join a Slimming World class together she refused, saying she was too big.

The mum-of-two went on to lose a stone before she joined up in August 2011 weighing 18 stone and two pounds. She has now lost seven stone and 12 pounds and is hoping to help others by setting up her own class in Leigh.

She said: "A couple of months before I joined I went to my godson's Christening and I was absolutely terrified of getting up in front of everyone because of the size I was.

"On the pictures you can see how unhappy I was. That was a turning point for me - I was a mess really. For someone my age it just wasn't right.

"My sister was already going to a class and suggested we start a new one together but I felt too big."

The sisters are now on a final push to reach their target weights before Karen gets married in May.

"Karen was the person who picked me up and took me to classes, who sourced recipes and made me exercise - we have gone through it all together over the last three years," Sarah, from Bickershaw, said.

"Now it is my turn to support Karen. She's bought her dress but can't quite fit into it so it is the final push.

"I wanted to set up my own class because I want to be able to help others the way that Karen has helped me. I want to help people because the support I have received has been incredible.

"Our lives are so much more active now. I used to take my children to the park and just watch them and not join in and I would never have taken them swimming.

"I feel like I am living my life now instead of watching from the outside."

Sarah's Slimming World class will be held every Saturday at 10.15am from this weekend Twelve Apostles Parish Centre.