A Southwold chef has cooked up a slimming success – by dropping from a size 20 to a size 12.

Lucy Bartlett, 32, is now looking forward to going out and showing off her new figure after shedding three stone nine-and-a-half lbs over the last year by joining the Southwold Slimming World group. She now weighs 11st 10-and-a-half lbs.

Because of her exploits, the married mother-of-two, who works at Tilly's tea room, has been nicknamed Miss Slinky by fellow group members and has been entered for a national Slimming World competition.

And as well as the chance of winning a �2,000 shopping spree, Lucy is looking forward to buying a new wardrobe.

She said: 'I couldn't believe it when everyone voted me as 'Miss Slinky'.

'I've never felt 'slinky' before but – thanks to Slimming World – I am now, and it feels great. I've always struggled with my weight – being around food every day as a chef certainly didn't help.

'Shopping for clothes was a trauma and usually ended up with me in tears and I always used to cancel nights out... Now I have a new-found love of clothes, shopping and shoes.'

Mrs Bartlett said that she enjoyed going to the Slimming World group as it did not feel like she had been on a strict diet.

She added: 'I've got a completely new lifestyle now. I fill up on delicious healthy meals made from scratch with fresh food and I'm much more active.'

The Southwold Slimming World group meets on Wednesday evenings at the Cardinal Newman Hall where the sessions are led by consultant Denise Durrant. She praised Lucy for her efforts, adding: 'I hope she inspires lots of other people to improve their health by losing weight and shows them that whether you've got a little or a lot to lose, slimming down can make a huge difference to your confidence and self-esteem.'

For information on the Southwold group, call Denise on 01502 528505 or visit www.slimmingworld.com