A SUPER-SLIMMER who lost ten stones in only 11 months has been given an award.

Paula Fox, 38, has been named Bedale leisure centre's slimmer of the year.

She decided to lose weight in May last year after she woke in pain one day. At the time, she weighed 20st 5lbs.

She said: "I had been overweight and totally inactive for a number of years, and it was beginning to have consequences on my general health.

"I had chest pains, as well as pains in my legs, because of the weight.

"And I never seemed to be away from the doctors. I knew things had to change."

She started walking a little every day and enrolled with a local slimming group.

Six months later and five stones lighter, she visited Bedale leisure centre.

She said: "I was fairly anxious, but I was overwhelmed by the support and motivation I received from the staff there."

She was soon exercising every day.

She said: "I would not be without exercise now. I not only feel so much more confident but, more importantly, I feel healthy, fit and a hundred times better than I used to."

Ms Fox moved from her home in Bedale to Dunbar, Scotland, over the Easter weekend.