A CWMBRAN woman has turned her life around after losing weight, quitting smoking and joining a running club.

Just six months ago Hayley Pierce, 28, attempted running for the first time after having lost four and a half stone in two years.

She struggled, mainly walked and threw up but now she is an active member of the newly formed Pont-y-pwl & District Runners Club and is training for 10k runs and a half marathon.

She said: "I was too self-conscious of running on my own. It took me about four weeks to finally pluck up the courage to actually go and when I went to the club for the first time I felt so nervous.

"But everyone is so supportive and encouraging, I was so surprised on the first night when I managed to run three miles.

"I completed my first 10k last week and I'm looking forward to running for the British Heart Foundation in March."

Hayley will be running the St David's Day race in Cardiff in memory of her grandmother Esther Lincoln who suffered with a heart condition and died on Christmas Day last year.

She said: "My grandmother always used to nag me about my weight and smoking. I was pleased she was around to see me lose a lot of weight and I was spurred on to join a running club because of her.

"I also want to set a good example for my children Harrison, eight and Madison, six.

"Harrison used to tell everyone his mummy was fat and would sit on the sofa doing nothing. At my biggest I was 15 stone 9 lbs and I now weigh 10 and a half stone.

"My partner Chris Silvester is an ultra runner and fitness freak. He's been my personal trainer. I've completely changed my lifestyle from a big party girl to a sporty person and I've been encouraging everyone I see to join the club.

Hayley is hoping to become a personal trainer for over 55s who have mobility problems.

She said: "I know how hard it is to lose weight when you can't exercise and I want to help try and turn it around for other people."

The club meets at Pontypool Active Living Centre every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm.