SUPER slimmer Karen Dodds will be hoping to fulfil her dream of flying abroad if she wins through to the finals of Woman of the Year.

The mother of three has lost seven stones in eight and a half months since joining her local Slimming World classes in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland in January.

She has qualified for the semi-finals of Slimming World's Woman of the Year competition, which will be held in Derby, on October 29.

If she gets through to the finals in November in Birmingham, she will be in with a chance of the first prize - a holiday in Mexico swimming with dolphins, or £3,000 cash.

Karen, 33, is delighted with her new shape, having gone from a size 26 to 12, and the possibility of going abroad for the first time.

"I've always been frightened of going on an aeroplane and felt uncomfortable at the thought of fitting into the seats when I was so heavy. Also there was the thought of going on a beach and having to wear shorts," she said.

"Now I'm not restricted to frumpy clothes and I can go out and buy more fitted ones. I just feel really good and proud of myself."