A super-slimming couple from West Kingsdown who lost more than 11st between them have reached the finals of a national weight-loss competition.

Brian Smith and Alison Milton are one of just 21 couples from across the UK and Ireland to have reached the finals of the organisation’s Couple of the Year 2014 contest.

The pair say the secret of their success was getting support from each other at home as well as from the other members at their Slimming World group in West Kingsdown.

Alison, 53, lost 4st 2.5lbs going from 15st 7lbs to 11st 4.5lbs.

She said: “I think losing weight together made a big difference because we were able to spur each other on every week and we were eating the same meals.

"We eat so much healthier now, we make everything ourselves instead of relying on convenience foods and it tastes so much nicer.

"We’re both more active nowadays too and regularly enjoy going for long walks and exercising in our home gym.

“The other members have been such an inspiration to us and I’m proud to say that people tell us we’ve inspired them as well.”

Brian, 62, who started out at 20st 7lbs and has lost 7st 1lbs to reach 13st 6lbs said: “We were delighted to be part of the finals but, if we’re honest, we already feel like we’ve won the biggest prize we could ever have wished for because losing weight has completely changed our lives.

“Like most people, our weight gain was quite gradual. Before we knew it our clothes were tight and our weight was getting us both down.

It was Alison and Brian’s fellow members at the group who voted for them to become West Kingsdown’s Slimming World Couple of the Year 2014.

Following their selection they were invited to represent West Kingsdown at the national finals at Slimming World’s head office in Derbyshire in March.