TWO Chipping Campden friends say their lives are changed completely after losing 14 stones in weight between them.

The dieting efforts of both Wendy Morrey and Clare Jones have earned them the joint title of Chipping Campden Slimming World Woman of the Year.

The pair were entered into the Woman of the Year district finals but despite not winning, say they feel inspired.

Wendy has gone from just over 19 stones 3 pounds to 10 stones 12 pounds in just over a year and a half while Clare has lost over five-and-a-half stones.

Bronwyn Heywood, who runs the group was incredibly proud: “Wendy and Clare were stars and it was amazing that we had two representatives from our tiny Cotswold village competing with much bigger catchments. There were three districts and the competition was tough.”

Wendy, 55, was encouraged to join her local Slimming World group by her doctor in January 2014 after becoming increasingly unhappy with her size and various weight related illnesses. She says: “I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember and had tried every conceivable diet under the sun, all of which usually left me feeling hungry or miserable – or both, in fact. With Slimming World it’s completely different, I never have to miss out and I don’t have to get hung up on weighing and measuring everything I eat. I don’t feel deprived and after losing over 8 and a half stone, I’m the slimmest, and the happiest, I’ve been in a long time.”

Clare, 45, who has followed the eating plan through two operations and quite a testing year said: “I know slimming is hard work at the best of times, so losing weight this year should have been impossible for me with everything that has gone on! A lot of people worry about joining a slimming club because they don’t know what to expect. They needn’t be afraid though. Right from the first moment I walked into my Slimming World group I felt at home, the support and motivation I’ve received from my Consultant Bronwyn and the rest of the group has been brilliant."

The Chipping Campden Slimming World group meets every Tuesday at 5pm and 7pm at Chipping Campden School in Cider Mill Lane.