AN article in the Gazette on how singers Esther Chapman and Chrissie Higgs lost over 11 stones in weight between them has inspired mum Barbara Wright to follow suit.

Mrs Wright, 56, of The Fairway, Devizes, signed up with Slimming World consultant Carrie Thomas after seeing the article in the Gazette in September 2003 and is delighted that she now weighs no more than she did when she was married nearly 30 years ago.

Mrs Wright said: "I knew Esther from her performances at the Wharf Theatre and elsewhere and thought, if she can do it, maybe I can too. When you see someone you know doing something like that it gives you confidence."

Mrs Wright has lost five and-a-half stone since September 2003.

She said: "This is the lightest I have been in my adult life since I married my husband Keith. The great thing about the Slimming World system is that you eat lots of the right things."

Mrs Wright also owes a debt of gratitude to her rescue greyhound Tarzan, or Tad, whose daily walks gives them both plenty of exercise.