SELF-confessed chocaholic and super slimmer Beryl Thomas offered some inspiration during a healthy eating evening.

Beryl, 50, was at Blackburn's Marks and Spencer to give shoppers an insight into how she has managed to drop three dress sizes in six months.

Mother-of-three Beryl, from Hesketh Close, Darwen, works as a food stock adviser at the store and shed 43lb. She went from a size 20 to a size 14 with the help of the chain's Count On Us range.

She used the range as part of her slimming routine, which has also included regular trips to WeightWatchers at Darwen.

She said: "I am a real chocaholic and I absolutely love my sweet stuff, but I am determined not to put the weight back on.

"People are noticing, even though I hadn't told them. It has been hard, but the range has helped me, because there are lots of ice creams and things, and you don't feel as if you're cutting down."

Beryl went from 14st 6lb to 11st 5lb and aims to lose an extra stone. She has also taken up jogging around Darwen and has joined a gym. She added: "I am so thrilled about it. I can feel the bones in my neck which I couldn't before and I feel better in myself."

She has passed the slimming bug on to husband Howard, who will join her at her WeightWatchers this week. The evening also featured a demonstration by members of Blackburn's Regency Fitness Suite.