A SLIMMER who set up a weight-loss group in Elton after losing nearly four stone has been honoured in the final of a national competition.

Danielle Hignett, from Chester, was one of only 38 group leaders selected from 3,500 nationwide to make it to the finals of Slimming World’s Consultant Slimmer of the Year contest.

The 27-year-old joined her local group in September last year after struggling to lose weight following the birth of her two children – and went on to drop from 12st to 8st 4lb in just eight months.

Danielle said: “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous when I went to the group that first time, but I soon realised that we were all there for the same reason – because we were unhappy with our weight and wanted to do something about it. Everyone was treated with care, understanding and the utmost respect.

“I’ve learned how important it is to make activity part of my routine too to help keep the weight off.

“I started building up my activity once I started losing weight and had so much more energy. Now I jog regularly and have completed the Race for Life twice this year with another two to complete before the end of the year.”

Danielle now supports more than 100 slimmers each week after launching her own group at Elton Community Centre.

She said: “I found people were always asking how I’d lost my weight and I loved telling them all about Slimming World, so I thought it made sense to turn that into a career.”

The Elton Slimming World group meets at Elton Community Centre, School Lane, on Wednesdays at 5pm and 7pm and on Saturdays at 10am. To find out more, visit www.slimmingworld.com, call Danielle on 07772 974351 or email daniellehignettsw@yahoo.co.uk.