Beer and curry were never off the menu for Melksham’s Michael Guy, who has lost over 11 stone in weight in under a year.

The 39-year-old, who lives on Hazelwood Road, has dropped from 22st 13lb to 11st 2lb since joining the Bradford on Avon Slimming World group last September.

He said: “I am able to get around a whole lot more. I was using a hiking stick for walking, but now my general health is so much better and my joints don’t ache any more.

"I haven’t given up my man-sized portions and I still enjoy all my old favourites like curry and rice with lots of potatoes and veg, they’re just cooked differently now.

“I even enjoy a beer when I fancy it as well.

“I expected to feel like ‘the odd one out’ in the group, but it wasn’t like that. Everyone was friendly and made me feel welcome, and ultimately we were all there for the same reason – because we wanted to lose weight and be fitter, happier and healthier.

“My family and friends are really proud of me for doing something about my weight, because they know that it made me unhappy and they were worried about me.”

Sindy Williams, who runs the club, said: “Michael is almost unrecognisable from the man who walked into my group all those months ago but it’s been a quite gradual change.

“He’s shown that making small changes to the way you eat and becoming more active bit by bit can make a huge difference.”

For more on the group, which meets weekly at the Mount Pleasant Centre, call Sindy on 07590 690663.