SUPERSLIMMER Rebecca Kent has lots to celebrate after reaching the finals of a national slimming competition.

The 18-year-old from Ripon made the final 30 of Slimming World’s Young Slimmer of the Year contest after losing 3st 4.5lbs.

Rebecca joined the Ripon Slimming World group to feel more comfortable with her size.

“I think a lot of young people struggle with their confidence from time to time and I was no different. My weight meant that I was becoming more and more self-conscious though, and it was starting to affect me in lots of different ways,” she said.

“I was quite nervous about the thought of joining Slimming World at first because I thought that people might judge me for being overweight at such a young age. I definitely shouldn’t have worried though. Everyone at my group is really lovely and they’ve all been so supportive of me.”

Her group chose Rebecca to represent them in the competition and she was one of 30 young people invited to the semi-finals at Slimming World’s head office in Alfreton, Derbyshire.

There she met I’m a Celeb runner-up Sam Quek, a current Olympic gold medallist and defender for both England and Great Britain’s hockey teams.

“Health and fitness is a huge part of my life, so I understand how difficult it can be sometimes to make sensible choices,” said Sam.

“The way that Rebecca has turned her life around is nothing short of remarkable and although we’ve only just met – I can’t help but feel a little proud of what she has achieved. It just goes to show that if you set your mind to it, anything is possible.”