LEIGH writer Wendy Seddon studied her future - and found a novel "weigh" to success.

She shed seven stone and set out to carve herself a new life.

Now Wendy (pictured), of Hope Carr Road, Leigh, is a lecturer, has an Outstanding Achievement Award thanks to Slimming World, and a book in the pipeline.

After 17 years as a nurse at Bolton Royal Infirmary, Wendy became disillusioned with the job.

She started a creative writing degree course at Bolton Institute funded by her work, and is now teaching her own students at Bolton and St Helens, running her own slimming class and has a completed medical horror novel awaiting publication.

Wendy said: "I needed to draw some courage to change my life. I was eighteen and a half stone and in a size 24 dress.

"The final straw came when I went for a new uniform and overheard the seamstress tell a friend 'she's a big 'un '.

"None of the stock uniforms fit so I had to be measured and have a uniform specially made. I was so upset I stayed off work the next day.

"Then I decided enough was enough and that I was going to lose weight once and for all. I went along to a Slimming World class with a friend and have never looked back.

"Twelve months later I was seven stones lighter and halved my dress size to a 12.

"This huge weight loss gave me the confidence I needed to retrain for a new career and to write the novel I had long been meaning to.

"I could never have stood up in front of a class of students when I was eighteen and a half stone, or faced promoting a book. Now I'm looking forward to both."

Wendy is now so keen to help others lose weight she has started her own Slimming World class at St Paul's Labour Club, Westleigh, every Monday at 7.30pm.

Anyone interested in joining can ring Wendy on 01942 609126 or turn up on the evening.

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