A Watford mum who lost two-and-a-half-stone and dropped four dress sizes is relaunching a slimming club on the Holywell estate to help others do the same.

Dawn Coldman, 26, found that being overweight was preventing her from keeping up with her young son. One day she had a moment of panic when looking after him.

"I nearly passed out when I had to run up the stairs to stop him falling," she said. "I was so worried."

The final straw came when she saw photos of herself at her son’s christening. She was so disappointed with them that she resolved to lose weight and joined her local Slimming World group. 

Dawn was so successful that her group named her "Miss Slinky". She also gave up smoking and found that she no longer struggled with back pain.

After maintaining her healthy new weight for two and a half years, Dawn is now relaunching the group with the support of Watford Community Housing Trust.

The Trust has provided more than  £1,000 from its Community Development Fund to kickstart the new West Watford Slimming World sessions, which will start at 7pm on Tuesday, July 29, at West Watford Free Church in Tolpits Lane.

She said: "I’m overwhelmed by the support I’ve had from the local community. Now I want to give something back by helping others become fitter and healthier."

Susannah Brunert, head of communities at the trust, added: "Our Community Development Fund is about building happier and healthier neighbourhoods so we were really pleased to be able to support Dawn’s group. We wish her every success."