A former takeaway worker has achieved his lifelong dream of being accepted to the Royal Navy after losing almost half his body weight in just 18 months.

Danny Hague, 25, says he feels a lot better about himself after dropping from a hefty 26.5 stone to just 15.4.

Now a weapons engineer in the Royal Navy, he lost the excess weight by taking part in a 13-week course and cutting down on unhealthy snacks.

The scheme, which is run by Ashford-based Concept Training, helps 16 to 24 year olds hoping to join the armed forces or uniformed public services improve their fitness.

Mr Hague - who lives in Ashford but did not give where in the town - said: “It’s been a long but necessary journey.

“I used to do nothing around the house - I used to sit, eat, play games and work at a Chinese takeaway in the evenings.

“I was just bored all the time. It was pretty depressing. Looking back now, I can’t believe that was me.”

Mr Hague says he owes a lot to the course, which is called IMPACT.

He added: “I started the course and was surprised with how well I adapted. It’s very full-on.

“I’m not used to getting up at 6am but it’s massively helped me. I’ve learned a whole new lifestyle like healthy eating, opening up to people, doing more sports and seeing other people.

“If I didn’t do this, I wouldn’t have changed. I would have still been just sat at home.

“I actually talk to people now. I was always the quiet one, sat in the corner, listening to music.

“Physically, walking up the stairs used to tire me out. Now I can jog 31 miles with a weight on my back in just over seven hours. I feel a lot better within myself.”

Mr Hague is currently undergoing an initial 10-week training exercise with the Royal Navy at HMS Rayleigh and is set to eventually be posted to Portsmouth for 18 months.

He said: “Joining the Navy was always in the back of my mind as a secondary thing because I knew I couldn’t do it.

“I was too overweight and too lazy but after completing this programme, they accepted me and I’m extremely excited to go.

“I’ll be proud to serve my country and I’ll see what I can achieve.”

Chris Pound, director of Concept Training, which is based in South Stour Avenue, described Mr Hague’s dedication as “phenomenal”.

He said: “When we first met Danny, he was shy, but his transformation has been fantastic.”