A COUPLE found a problem shared was a problem halved when they decided to lose weight together.

Phil and Sue Wardle, from Stokesley, North Yorkshire decided in June last year (2012) to slim down after looking at holiday photographs together. After joining their local Slimming World club they managed to lose 10st 3lb between them.

They were one of 30 couples from the UK and Ireland to reach the finals of Slimming World’s Couple of the Year 2013 contest.

Mrs Wardle, 57, who joined Slimming World weighing 15st 3lb and lost 4st 2lb, said: “We were delighted to be part of the finals but, if we’re honest, we already feel like we’ve won the biggest prize we could wish for because losing weight has completely changed our lives.

“Like most people, our weight gain was very gradual over months and years. Before we knew it our clothes were tight and our weight was getting us both down."

Mr Wardle, 59, who lost 6st 1lb to go from 20st to 13st 13lb, said: “Losing weight together made a huge difference because we were able to spur each other on every week.”

Other members of the group nominated the couple for the contest and they got through to the national finals in Derbyshire on Sunday, March 3.

The Slimming World group meets every Wednesday at 9.30am at Stokesley Methodist Church Hall, or 5pm and 7pm at Stokesley Town Hall.