CRISPS, cakes, biscuits – you name it, Linda Morris would eat it.

And while the 38-year-old knew she had to do something about her weight, the temptation of tasty treats was always too good to resist.

"I'd been thinking about losing weight, but never got my head round it because I love my food," she explains.

"We used to have a nurse who would come to work and do a 12-month check. She would say that my cholesterol was high and that I needed to cut out pastries and things like that, but I always thought I couldn't do it."

That was until her sister asked if she would consider joining the Slimming World class in Oakhill, and now, nearly 12 months on and more than four stones lighter, she couldn't be happier.

She says: "I tried WeightWatchers years ago and lost a stone, but I found it hard to lose any more and quickly put the weight back on. My sister kept going on and on about Slimming World until I finally agreed to go in March last year. I lost five pounds in the first week and had reached my target weight within seven months."

Linda, who lives at Emerald Way, Milton, with husband Dave, aged 43, and their three children Thomas, 16, Joshua, 13, and Aaron, nine, says Slimming World still allowed her to lose weight without feeling hungry. But while plentiful portions maintained her interest in the programme, it wasn't the only thing that helped her weight loss campaign.

"For Mother's Day Dave and the boys got me a Wii Fit. It was the first time I'd ever really exercised, but I went on it every day doing running, step aerobics and even the hula hoop exercise once I turned the lights off," she laughs.

With a bad diet of fry-ups, chocolate and crisps, Linda thought she was destined to a life where her wardrobe was filled with size 20-22 clothes and nights out were ruined by uncomfortable reflections. Now she holds the title of Oakhill's Woman Of The Year, as well as wearing the group's Miss Slinky crown.

"I knew how big I was, but I just made jokes about it and got on with it in my own way," she says.

"When I went out I liked to look good, but being overweight doesn't make it easy. On one occasion I remember seeing a roll of fat in the mirror – I just went home and got changed."

Seeing her dress size drop to a healthy 12-14 over the last year has made a huge impact on Linda's life. There are still times, however, when she can't quite believe how much she's lost.

"I see clothes on the hanger and don't think they'll ever fit me," she admits. "I'll often pick up sizes that are too big. "But now I can see I've got a waist and it feels good to be able to change the clothes I wear because I always used to just cover up."

Linda comfortably reached her target weight in October last year, and would advise others to take the plunge and join Slimming World.

"I would sit and easily eat three packets of Quavers in one sitting, but now I can honestly say I haven't touched a bag for nearly 12 months," she concludes.

"Because I've changed what I'm eating and the way I cook food my cholesterol also dropped, so I'm pleased with that as well. I had a lot of support from family, friends, colleagues and my boss throughout, and the best thing is I've maintained my weight. If you're unhappy with who you are then you can do something about it. Slimming World does work, but you have to stick to it."

Group leader Sam Smith says: "Linda has done fantastically well in such a short space of time. She was really focused from the beginning."

Linda attends the Oakhill Group at Trent Vale Methodist Church which meets every Wednesday at 5.30pm or 7pm. For details call 07718 101773.