Amy Dugan of New Buckenham lost an incredible 10 stone but says the agony of losing her two brothers in a fire as a child drove her to chronically over eat.

Miss Dugan shed the 10 stone in just over a year, fighting a comfort-eating habit which began at the age of 10 after losing her two brothers in a house fire.

The 26-year-old turned to food to ease her nagging fears after her brother's deaths but this soon caused her weight to dramatically increase.

She said: 'It became a vicious cycle which I could never seem to break, I was unhappy and upset so I would eat food to make myself feel better, but my negative thoughts only increased and so did the amount of food.'

The habit saw her weight spiral and by age 16 she weighed 14 stone, soaring to more than 19 stone by the time she graduated. When she turned 25, Miss Dugan decided it was time to break the cycle.

'I looked in the mirror and I no longer recognised or liked the person staring back at me, in fact I hated myself and the life I was leading,' she said.

Inspired by a work colleague, she signed up to the Attleborough Slimming World in July last year - and lost eight pounds in her first week.

She said: 'In just over a year I have lost over 10 stone – something I never even dreamed to be possible and I can't wait to help other people achieve their dreams.

'I don't believe in regrets as I firmly believe that everything in life happens for a reason, I only wish I had known how wonderful I feel now and made that first step a long time ago.'

She will take over the New Buckenham group, which will be held at the village hall from 7.30pm on Monday evenings. For information contact 07493179533.

•Do you have a story about a super slimmer? Email lauren.cope@archant.co.uk