A GWENT woman who lost nearly half her bodyweight in the past year is to start helping others fight the fat.

Bar manager Anne-Marie Coldrick is opening up a Slimming World club this week after losing more than nine stone in just under ten months.

She is to start the new group in Newport after feeling compelled to combat the 54 per cent of the city’s population who are classed as overweight or obese.

Miss Coldrick, of Peterstone, said: “Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across the UK. When I joined Slimming World in March, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight but now I just can’t wait to get started.

“After losing nine stone four pounds and completing my training, it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to their target weight.”

Miss Coldrick stated that at the start of last year she was sick with how she felt about her weight and signed up to Slimming World on March 1 to regain confidence.

Beforehand she weighed 22 and a half stone but is now a slender 12 stone 11 pounds.

This has seen the 27-year-old drop from a dress size 24 to being between a size 12 and a 14.

Miss Coldrick, who manages the Six Bells pub on Broadstreet Common, added: “I have reached my target weight and if you told me a year ago I would be where I am today then I wouldn’t have believed you.”

She added: “It has given me confidence and opened so many doors and opportunities that would have otherwise been closed, it’s literally changed my life and I want to help others.”

So far 25 people have signed up for the first session this evening. It is open to adults and also children with consent from their parent or guardian as well as their doctor.

Slimming World manager Sophie Gibbons, said: “With Anne-Marie’s experience of being a successful Slimming World member and her kind and warm personality with a great sense of humour, I know she’ll be an amazing support to members.”

The weekly group will be held at St Mary’s Parish Church Hall, Malpas, from 7.30pm every Monday from tonight.

To find out more either pop along, contact Miss Coldrick on 07837 765129 or visit slimmingworld.co.uk.