Just nine months after shedding an incredible 11 stones, super slimmer Mike Scott is set to do something which a year ago would have been impossible - run a 10-mile race.

Just nine months after shedding an incredible 11 stones, super slimmer Mike Scott is set to do something which a year ago would have been impossible - run a 10-mile race.

The father of two, of El Alamein Way, Bradwell, weighed a massive 24st 7lbs this time last year but after a five-month crash diet he lost almost half of his own body weight.

Mike, who now weighs 13st 7lbs, will take part in the Great South Run for Cancer Research UK.

The 32-year-old computer services manager said: “I came up with the idea earlier in the year. I thought it would good to have something to aim for, and a marathon is something I wouldn't have been able to do when I was bigger.”

Mike, now a qualified diet counsellor, will be running the 10-mile race with his wife Jo and colleagues from the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston, on October 22. Everyone who is running in the race has been counselled by Mike in the battle to shed the pounds.

“I think there are about 20 of us doing the run,” he said. “I asked people I was counselling if they wanted to take part and everyone seemed keen. It's mainly a motivational thing.”

Mike bought a treadmill and runs three or four times a week. And he says he's getting more used to his new size. “I will admit the training hasn't taken over my life. I'm doing it for fun really. I now play badminton every week and I play football with my son.

“Those are things I wouldn't have been able to do before and there's no way I could have run a marathon. I would get out of breath just running up the stairs when I was bigger.”

Mike was shamed into losing weight after having the holiday from hell. His size meant he couldn't fit comfortably in the plane seat or fasten the belt and while at Disneyworld he was restricted to only a few rides.

Mike went on the Cambridge diet - a crash diet which involves eating four packs of food, including a soup, shake or meal bar, per day. It took Mike just 20 weeks to lose 11st and, inspired by his efforts, wife Jo decided to give the diet a go.

The couple, who have two children, Ethan six and Emily two, are running in aid of Cancer Research UK after a family member was diagnosed with cancer.

“My step-mum was diagnosed with skin cancer earlier in the year,” said Mike. “Luckily she has been given the all-clear now but we thought it would be fitting to raise money for the charity.”

If you would like to sponsor Mike and Jo visit www.justgiving.com/mikeandjo.