TWO years ago Melanie Killilea weighed in at a massive 23 stones -- and made a New Year's Resolution to lose weight. She had done it many times before, but all her attempts ended in failure. This time she decided she must stick to it for the sake of her three-year-old son, Conor.

She joined the Croft branch of the Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Club and doggedly stuck to her task.

Now Melanie, of Prestwich Avenue, Culcheth, is 10 stones lighter and has dropped from dress size 32 to 14.

Now she has been named Regional Slimmer of the Year 2001, and at 34 has a whole new hectic lifestyle.

A public relations manager for Hotter Shoes in Skelmersdale, Melanie has always been on the big side, at 5ft 10in.

She saw a dietician at the age of 13, but says she still ate the wrong things and as a teenager became a size 18.

She said: "People would call me Big Mel. It got on my nerves, but I've got an outgoing personality so I laughed it off. I did try to diet but the weight just yo-yoed. Anyone who has been overweight will realise how it affects your whole life. I couldn't even cut my own toe nails, and I always used the same hairdresser because I was afraid the capes at other salons wouldn't fit or I wouldn't fit in the chair. The turning point came after I had Conor. I didn't want him being laughed at because of my size. And I wanted to be able to catch him. I also had a medical for extra life insurance and failed it."

Melanie signed up at the Croft class run by Leigh consultant Linda Coombes. She learned a whole new way of living through eating the right food and exercise. Now the woman who turned up at her first class a dithering wreck in a big flared skirt has had fun finding out all about fashion.

As the pounds started to slip away Melanie spotted a pair of leather trousers which were far too small in a charity shop for £10.

She bought them as a target -- and now they fit perfectly. She said: "I started to buy my clothes from charity shops because I was dropping a size every six weeks. It was fantastic.

"I now weigh 12st 13lb and at size 14 I have never been smaller."

Melanie has also taken up body combat -- a mixture of kick boxing and karate -- and is a regular runner.

She has also recently enjoyed her first holiday abroad with husband Frank and Conor.

She said: ' Before I lost my weight I was terrified I'd get stuck in an aircraft seat, but we went to Spain in October and it was brilliant. I want to take up scuba diving next."

Her greatest compliment though was when she visited her husband's family in Ireland at Easter -- and old friends thought Frank had another woman.

She said: "It's partly true. I definitely feel like a new woman. I'd advise anyone to give it a go. If I can do it anyone can."

Consultant of four years, Linda said: "Melanie is my biggest success. She came as a shaking wreck and is now a completely changed person."

Linda runs Rosemary Conley diet and fitness classes on Mondays at Tyldesley Methodist Church, Elliott Street, at 5.30pm and 7pm, Wednesdays at Lowton Civic Hall at 1.15pm, 5.30pm and 7pm and at Croft Memorial Hall on Thursdays at 5.30pm and 7pm.

For further information contact her on 01942-707270.