THE only weight was down for two Cotswolds slimmers who met reality television star Mark Wright at an annual award ceremony.

Mandy Widdows and Christine Dudfield run weekly Slimming World groups across the north Cotswolds and were invited to the weight loss organisation’s ceremony to celebrate its most successful slimmers.

Ms Widdows said meeting Mark was the perfect ending to a great year for Slimming World.

“But there’s still a lot of work to be done,” added Mrs Dudfield.

“We want to help even more people to slim down and improve their health starting this January.

“At this time of year lots of people will be making New Year’s resolutions and pledging to lose weight, and we’d love anyone who wants to make a change to come along and join us.

“Even if they’ve struggled to stick to resolutions in the past, there’s no need to be put off.”

The pair run the groups at Stow Primary School every Monday, at Lower Town Hall, Chipping Norton, every Tuesday, Townsend Hall in Shipston each Wednesday and the Congregational Church Hall, Moreton, on Thursdays.

Mark Wright, the star of The Only Way is Essex and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here, was pleased to meet the slimmers when he joined founder Margaret Miles- Bramwell OBE to host the ceremony.

He said: “Throughout the day I met so many fantastic people, not only the slimmers collecting awards but also amazing people like Mandy and Christine who help them achieve so much.

”Everyone commented that having the support of someone like Mandy or Christine and their groups is really important too.

“I really feel people are very lucky to have such a great support network on their doorstep.”

To join a Cotswold group, contact Mandy on 01608 641923 or Christine on 01608 686288 or visit slimmingworld.com.