A weight-loss expert from Biddulph has won a national award for the exceptional work she does in helping people in the area to lose weight every week.

Laura Tickle has been given the 'Bronze' status by the national slimming club Slimming World because of her success in supporting local slimmer's to reach their dream weights, improve their health and change their lives.

Slimming World is the largest and most advanced slimming organisation in the UK. Margaret Miles-Bramwell (OBE, FRSA) founded the company in 1969 and there are now more than 9,500 groups held weekly nationwide via a network of nearly 3,500 Slimming World trained Consultants.

The accolade is awarded to Slimming World Consultants who successfully build a vibrant and dynamic group of 50 or more members, and when the service they provide is so good that members keep coming week after week. It's First time that the Friday morning Congleton group has reached Bronze award-winning status.

She says: "I am delighted to have received the 'Bronze' award on behalf of the 9.30am Friday morning group. I feel passionately about helping people to transform their lives by losing weight in the same way that I did when I lost 6st 11lb with Slimming World myself. Losing weight made me feel happier and healthier and gave me so much more confidence."

"I became a consultant 10 years ago now, because I wanted to share that incredible feeling and help other people to achieve the same success I had myself. Before finding Slimming World's generous and flexible Food Optimising plan I had seen so many failed weight-loss attempts, each one leaving me feeling more resigned to being stuck in a body I just didn't Identify with. I felt trapped. I knew if I could lose weight, other who felt like me before needed to hear about Slimming World too. Seeing the members in my Friday Morning group – mums, dads, grandparents and young people too – reach their target weight is so rewarding and receiving this award is just the icing on the cake."

"This award belongs to each and every one of the Congleton Friday Morning members. They're the ones who make the group the success that it is, with their fabulous commitment, the wonderful support they give each other every week because they're losing weight beautifully and wouldn't miss their weekly friendly fun supportive group for anything."

If Laura continues her success, she could be in the running for a silver or even a gold award. She said: "I'm over the moon to have become a Bronze Consultant and now I'm going for Gold, although I feel like I've already struck gold – I have a fabulous job that I absolutely love and great friends in the members that I meet with every single week. I'm very lucky and I truly believe I have the best job in the world."

"The Wellspring Church groups have really put healthy weight loss on the map in Congleton. The Friday 9.30am group alone have lost an amazing 861.5lb this year, that's over 61 Stone! Obesity is at record levels across the world, and here 62.5% of adults in Cheshire East are being affected on a daily bases. Lots of people here in our local community are suffering with a range of weight-related health problems from Type 2 Diabetes, Heart problems, and feelings of low self-worth that impact on their working and personal lives. So anything that helps people to lose weight by adopting healthy eating habits and becoming more active is making a difference – both to themselves and future generations of children, too."

To join the Friday morning group, which is held at 9.30am at Wellspring Church, Canal Road, Congleton (Opposite the War Memorial Hospital) just pop along this week or contact Laura on 07595 535 816 if you have any questions, worries or concerns.

Other groups include;

• Thursday 5:30pm & 7pm at Wellspring Methodist Church, Congleton with Laura - CW12 3AP.
• Thursday 5:30pm & 7pm at Holmes Chapel Scout Hut with Giselle - CW4 7BA.
• Fridays 7:30am, 9am & 10:30am at Cranage Village Hall with Emma G - CW4 8EQ.
• Saturday 8am and 9:30am at Congleton Masonic Hall with Emma G - CW12 1AG.

Or visit www.SlimmingWorld.co.uk for all other alternative groups to help you find the most convenient for you & your lifestyle.