A slimmer is looking forward to showing off her new figure at Christmas parties this year.

Laura Underwood, 30, of Lawling Avenue, Heybridge, dropped five dress sizes, from a 20 at her biggest, to a size 12 in 18 months and was voted Miss Slinky 2014 by her Slimming World group.

Teacher Laura, who attends Burnham Slimming World, said: “A lot of people say they have an epiphany moment, I never had that, I just ran out of excuses.

“It got to the stage were I had to get down to it.

“I used to squeeze myself into smaller clothes.”