A BISHOP Auckland woman has shed ten stones and dropped 20 dress sizes.

Hospital cook Christine Tonge was inspired to change her lifestyle by her brother's courageous battle against oral cancer

She had ballooned to 21st 1lb and had to have a size 32 uniform ordered for her after piling on weight during each of her four pregnancies.

Already worried about her health, the shock of finding her brother Alan was ill spurred her into joining a slimming club three years ago.

She said: "If my weight concerned me, then my ill-health worried me rotten. I was on inhalers for asthma attacks and my doctor warned me about my high blood pressure.

"I couldn't climb the stairs without getting out of breath. I was in a bad way. It was a terrible time. We were devastated by Alan's diagnosis. But it was the wake-up call I desperately needed.

"Losing ten stones has been a bit like coming out of the mist for me. For over 20 years I was a typical big mum and made the best of things. Now I've discovered that life can be so much more than just day-to-day chores and caring for the family.

"My family has become healthier too. We go for long walks in the countryside and I have so much energy I can pack heaps more into my days."

Her brother Alan Marley died in November 2002, days before she was named Slimmer of the Year by slimming club chain Changes.

Her story features in the latest edition of Slimming Magazine.