A WOMAN who suffered years of abuse is on a mission to help others after getting a new lease of life from dropping five dress sizes - since turning 60.

Sue Bennett, 61, says she has never been happier than she is now, despite a traumatic upbringing.

Now the mother-of-one, of Newton Aycliffe, wants to turn her experience into good and has set out on a new career path at the helm of a slimming group.

The change in direction comes following her own weight loss journey which has seen her shed more than three stone since in less than a year.

“I was a victim of the worst abuse you can think of - mental and physical,” said Mrs Bennett, who married her husband Tony 12 years ago. “Some people (who experience abuse) want to make people suffer for it but I’m not like that.

“It’s not acceptable - I’ve got to move on. Me and Tony have both been through some stuff but it’s made us the people we are.

“I feel my life started at 27 and I’ve never been happier. I just thought I’d like people to feel the way I do.”

It was in September last year when Mrs Bennett squeezed into a boiler suit for a once-in-a-lifetime parachute jump that she decided to make changes to her eating habits.

“I felt so uncomfortable,” she said. “I was a size 18 and was heading towards a size 20. I even hurt my legs when I landed because I couldn’t lift them high enough. It really set it in motion that I needed to get it in hand.”

After a holiday abroad and feeling embarrassed in a swimsuit, Mrs Bennett signed up to Slimming World within hours of landing.

Since then she is back to a size eight to ten and is ready to inspire others as a Slimming World consultant at Woodham Community Centre.

Originally from Durham, Mrs Bennett already works at family-run businesses Safeline Taxis and food and drink delivery service Shake and Cake, on Aycliffe Business Park, but will be heading up the fat-fighting group on Mondays from September 4.

“I thought just because you’ve turned 60, you don’t need to give up and I’ve never looked back,” added Mrs Bennett.