GILL Kenny is only the half woman she used to be -- and she couldn't be more delighted!

For the 35-year-old mum has shed an incredible 9 stone 12lbs in just 18 months after undergoing a rigorous training schedule.

Gill, a personnel relations officer with Merseyside Police, was shocked into action by the sight of herself in some holiday photos, after tipping the scales at 20 stones 41bs -- grossly overweight for her 5ft 4ins frame.

She told the Star: "I'd always had slight weight problems since schooldays, but when I moved in with my husband, Chris, my lifestyle altered. I was following the wrong diet and I piled on the weight. But it was only after looking at photos we had taken on a family holiday in Minorca that I realised enough was enough and something had to be done.

"I was also worried for my son Joshua. I didn't have the energy to play with him and I feared he would get 'stick' from his friends because of my size. I just wanted him to have a 'normal' mum".

Gill, from Rainhill, started dieting in July, 1999, but it was only when she joined Slimming World the following month that she started to make progress.

She said: "I attended Slimming World nearly every Tuesday at the St Ann's parish rooms and I must pay tribute to Sylvia Kain who was brilliant and so supportive".

She also signed up at Club Figure and Fitness in Sutton Heath where fitness

instructor Dave Anders designed a programme which involved training three or four times a week on treadmill and bikes.

Then, about a year ago, encouraged by Chris, she took up jogging with a special companion. "I go running with my dog, Buster -- he must be the fittest dog in Rainhill"."

Now, Gill trains six times a week -- varying between weights, running and aerobics -- and even jogs in her lunch hour! And she is currently in training for her first half-marathon having already completed a 10-mile event.

And all the hard work has certainly been worth it for Gill, now a shapely 10st 6lbs. She says: "When I show Joshua photos of me before and after and ask him which mum he prefers it's great when he points to the slim, fit mum".

She also paid tribute to Chris for his support, adding: "He has been terrific in looking after Josh on many occasions which gave me the chance to train and achieve my goal".

Meanwhile, Gill's success has made her something of role model at both Club Figure and Fitness and Slimming World.

Dave Anders said: "When Gill first came to us her self-esteem was low. We set the programme to her needs and as the weight dropped off her confidence grew. But she proved she wanted to do it and as a result she is now a totally different person -- and not just physically".