Three women have earned the title of ‘Women of the Year’ after losing nearly nine stone between them.

Laura Golding, Buffy Kyle and Georgina Howard have been chosen to represent Borehamwood High Street in the nationwide Slimming World Woman of the Year competition to find the UK and Ireland’s top female slimmer.

The women have lost a total of eight-and-a-half-stone between them in less than a year.

Ms Howard, 39, said: “I lost 5lbs in my first week and was blown away that they changes I’d made had such a big impact so quickly. I’ve gone from a size 16 to a 10."

The competition recognises the achievements of women in making long-term healthy lifestyle changes.

Ms Kyle, 35, who follows Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan, said: “I still eat many of the same meals that I did before I started losing weight, I just prepare and cook them differently."

Around one in four women in the UK and Ireland are severely overweight and at risk of suffering a range of health 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.

Hannah Harman, who runs the High Street Borehamwood group, said: “I’m so proud of all our winners. Not only do they look fabulous, they have improved their health and are all now bursting with energy.”

The Borehamwood Slimming World groups are held on:

Monday with Karen at 9.30am, 6pm and 7.30pm at St Michaels Church Hall, Brook Road, Tuesday with Karen at 6.30pm at St Michaels Church Hall, Brook Road, Wednesday with Hannah at 96 Shenley Road Community Centre 3.30pm, 5.30pm & 7.30pm.

There is also a new group on Thursday at 96 Shenley Road Community Centre with Hannah from 9.30am.