A DARWEN mother is urging children with diabetes to change their diet after her daughter remarkably improved her condition by slimming.

Liesl Robinson, who herself dropped three dress sizes, started her daughter Chloe on the diet and her insulin injections have now been halved.

The mum-of-three has even become a consultant with a slimming club since being amazed by what it has done for her family.

She will lead her own class at Derwent Hall, Edgworth, on Thursday evenings from next month.

This week it was announced that obese children could be offered stomach stapling surgery as a last resort to stop them overeating.

But Mrs Robinson, 33, said it was a step too far and urged children to follow in the footsteps of her 14-year-old daughter.

The teenager was told her heart and kidneys were weakening as a result of type one diabetes and that she was likely to be dependent on four injections a day for the rest of her life.

Type one diabetes occurs when the body makes little or no insulin. It is not caused by eating too much sugar or fatty food but can be controlled through insulin injections and diet.

Doctors have halved her injections to two a day after she lost two thirds of a stone and have told her that if she continues with her new healthy life, she will be able to lead a normal life.

Mrs Robinson, of Dahlia Close, wants other children with conditions such as diabetes to join her Slimming World classes or follow a healthy diet plan to change their lives.

She said: "With rising levels of child obesity and its relating conditions, it is very important now for children to start changing their lifestyles.

"I could not believe how much of an effect dieting would have on my daughter's condition.

"The hospital stated that if we didn't do something soon, her long-term health would be affected. She would buy things from the shop that she wasn't supposed to have, like chocolate and cakes.

"She said it wasn't fair that all her friends could go to the shop and buy things she couldn't have.

"But we have now found alternative sugar-free treats that she can eat.

"I also had asthma before I lost weight and now I have no symptoms at all. I was a 11 stone but at 5ft 2in I was overweight and have been since 1989.

"All my friends can't believe the change in us both now.

"I am looking forward to helping make other people feel as fantastic and healthy as we do."