HOSPITAL worker Samantha Douthwaite is half the woman she was a year ago - thanks to giving up fish and chips, takeaway meals and chocolate.

She used to weigh 25st but has shed 12st 3lb by switching to healthy eating at her home in High Riggs, Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Now she has been chosen for the final of a national competition in London next Tuesday, when a winner will be chosen from ten slimmers from around the country.

Mrs Douthwaite, a 33-year-old housekeeper at the Richardson Hospital, in Barnard Castle, decided to lose weight when she realised she could not enjoy a break in Blackpool as she was too big to fit into funfair attractions.

She said: "I loved fish and chips, but since I made the break I haven't been back to a chip shop. I also loved Indian takeaways, especially chicken korma and mushroom rice, but I haven't had one of them either.

"I was very fond of chocolate too but I haven't had any for over a year. I now cook all my meals at home, eat sensibly and never feel hungry."

Her husband, Noel, who works for a building firm, is "absolutely over the moon" with her new appearance.

She has been helped by joining a weekly Slimming World class run in Barnard Castle by Jeanette Thompson, who said: "I am thrilled with her success. It was done by changing to healthy eating and reasonable exercise rather than a very strict diet."