A WOMAN who has lost seven-and-a-half stones in seven months is hoping for success in a national slimming competition.

Sue Fenwick, 39, from Romanby, near Northallerton, has won through to the regional final of Slimming World's Woman of the Year contest.

She began losing weight after attending meetings of the Northallerton branch of Slimming World and was soon crowned their champion slimmer.

Now she is about to compete with women from a region stretching from Scunthorpe in the south to Whitby in the north in a bid to go through to the national final, where the top prize is a holiday worth £5,000.

She said: "I didn't think I would lose it as quickly as I have. It was something I had wanted to do for years and I was determined to do it. I have had all my children and it just seemed like a good time.

"Everyone in the group has been fantastic - really supportive."

Donna Parkinson, Slimming World consultant, said: "I think she has done fabulously.

"The difference in her is just brilliant."