A WEIGHT loss expert from Worcestershire has been handed a sparkling award for her work helping more than 100 people cut the pounds every week.

Laurie Griffin runs the Drakes Broughton Slimming World group and has been awarded Silver status by the national weight loss club for her work helping people slim down, improve their health and change their lives.

The accolade is awarded to Slimming World consultants who run groups with more than 100 or more regular members.

Mrs Griffin, who has been a Slimming World consultant for nearly eight years, said she was “delighted” to have achieved the award.

“I feel passionately about helping people to transform their lives by losing weight in the same way that I did when I lost nine and a half stones with Slimming World in 2005,” she said.

“Losing weight made me feel happier and healthier and gave me so much more confidence.

“I became a consultant because I wanted to share that feeling and help other people to achieve the same success I had myself.

“Seeing the members in my groups – mums, dads, grandmas and young people too – reach their target weight is so rewarding and receiving this award is just the icing on the cake.”

Mrs Griffin dedicated the award to the 110 members of the Drakes Broughton group, who between them lost 4,572 pounds – or 326 stone – in 2014.

She said: “They’re the ones who make our group the success that it is, with their fabulous commitment, the wonderful support they give each other every week and, obviously, their impressive weight losses.”

Although the group recently had to move from their previous meeting place at Drakes Broughton Village Hall, they have since found a new home at the Village Hall in Peopleton, near Pershore, where it meets at 5pm and 8pm every Wednesday and 9.30am on Thursdays.

Mrs Griffin said she was now hoping to achieve a Gold award, which will be awarded if she continues her success this year.

“I feel like I’ve already struck gold,” she said.

“I have a fantastic group of members who have all become great friends who I look forward to seeing every week and a fabulous job that I love.

“I’m very lucky and I truly believe I have the best job in the world."

For more information visit www.slimmingworld.com.