A mum has achieved her ultimate summer body by losing nearly three stone.

Tracey Bannister, 46, from Caishowe Road, dropped to a size 16 to a size 10 since joining the Borehamwood High Street branch of Slimming World in mid-June.

The mother-of-five lost the last stone in just nine weeks.

She said: “When I first joined I found it hard to believe I’d ever reach my target weight because I’d tried so many diets before and they’d never worked for me.

“They were always too restrictive or I didn’t get any support to understand the plans and stick to them.

“Losing weight on my own was tough and very lonely, because there wasn’t anyone there to keep me going when I felt like giving up.”

But with the support of the group and consultant Hannah Harman, Tracey managed to learn new recipes, stay motivated and lose two stone 13 lbs in total.

As she lost weight, Tracey found it easier to move around in her role as a dot com picker at Tesco Extra and kept motivation up at the weekends by going on family walks.

Tracey says: “I’ve made so many friends that I can’t imagine not going to the group each week, they’re like family.

“Everyone inspired and supported me to achieve my target and now it’s my turn to do the same for other people, to show the same kindness, warmth and compassion that I was shown. Coming to group keeps me on track too.”

Anyone reaching their goal can join the 10 per cent of members who attend sessions for free as long as they stay within 3lbs of their target.

Hannah Harman, who runs the High Street Borehamwood group which Tracey now attends, says: “I’m so proud of Tracey and the inspirational way in which she’s embraced the plan and hit her target.

“It’s always great for new members to meet target members like Tracey and see just what’s possible at Slimming World – after we’ve explained why someone so slim is in the group in the first place, that is.

I hope she inspires other people in Borehamwood too and proves to them that with Slimming World you really can get slim for good.”

For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or contact Hannah Harman on 07957 164 443.