A man has undergone a massive weight loss transformation losing more than half of his previous body weight.

Aaron Snares of Walderslade was asked to be the best man at his sister's wedding but because of his insecurities surrounding his size with suit fittings and making a speech, he declined the offer.

The 29-year-old said: "I ended up being in the groomsmen party which meant I still needed to do a suit fitting.

"My fears came true. I just felt uncomfortable as nothing fitted and I had to have everything custom made."

Aaron weighed about 30 stone two years ago and he begun to worry about his health as he recognised being overweight came with many risks including cancer and he struggled with his mentality towards himself.

He added: "My nan – who was my biggest supporter – was diagnosed with terminal cancer and at the wedding she only had a few months left to live and she saw me walking around.

"She saw I was not happy in myself and said 'you have not been happy for a few years'.

"I had obviously seen her struggling and I decided I did not want that for my family."

It was then Aaron kick-started his journey with weight loss organisation Slimming World, and shed a huge 16-and-a-half-stone in two years.

The Medway resident, who now weighs half what he once did, has now become more comfortable in himself and has started a family with his partner Lucy.

"I wanted to have a family and the way I was, I did not feel anyone would love me," he continued. "I am 100% happier now. I had no motivation and no confidence."

Slimming World saw their groups in Gravesend and Medway welcome 895 members in the week before Christmas.

Team developer for Gravesend and Strood Rachel Janes says it is down to Covid, as more people are deciding to make changes for their health as being overweight is a risk of catching the virus.

Rachel added: "A lot of it is because of Covid statistics and the fear of Covid. We have seen a lot of people coming wanting to make healthier choices.

"The positive angle to this is that our members can inspire, motivate everyone who is looking to lose weight and maybe not knowing where to turn, which can be very scary when you know your health is being impacted."

Many people choose to start their journey as a New Year's resolution but this was not the case for some other Medway residents.

Other success stories include Kathy David who joined the Strood group after a "turn" which convinced her she was having a heart attack or a stroke.

She has now lost 12 stone 10-and-a-half pounds and is the bill of health.

Kathy said: "My whole life has been wasted being obese. Now, I have a full, active, healthy life to look forward to."

Gemma Montague, who has had a similar journey and lost over six stone, said: "Weight loss has helped my mental health and body image acceptance no end. I build myself up, I am proud of me."