A MUM from Melksham believes cutting junk food out of her son's diet has changed him into a completely different child.

Sharron Thayer decided to take seven-year-old Jay along to slimming classes after his eight-stone frame lead to bullying at school.

Since January the youngster has not only lost over a stone, but the diet he has been following has dramatically changed his personality for the better.

Mrs Thayer, who also has a three-year-old son, Kai, said: "His behaviour was getting so bad before we didn't know what to do but we didn't think about it being down to his food or weight.

"I always thought he would be in prison by the time he was 18. I just couldn't see how he was going to get any better."

Before going on the diet in January Jay's teachers at Lowbourne Junior School were often forced to call in his parents about his behaviour, which could be aggressive and withdrawn.

Mrs Thayer said he would often not get to sleep before midnight, had trouble getting up in the mornings and would then be difficult at school.

She said: "The school even said to let him sleep and bring him in later be-cause they would rather have half a good day with him than a whole bad day."

But since he stopped eating junk food and started eating a diet full of fruit, salad and vegetables and with limited carbohydrates he has begun getting behavioural achievement awards at school and earned the praise of his teachers.

Sleeping is no longer a problem as his weight loss means he is comfortable enough to run around with the other children, using up his energy.

Mrs Thayer said: "Every aspect of his life has improved, I don't think life could be better for him now. Whatever he chooses to do he can now do. Before he was just existing, now he is achieving."

Mrs Thayer is herself a member of Melksham's Shapes Slimming Club and asked Jay if he would like to go along after his confidence and self-esteem hit rock bottom at the end of last year.

A healthy eating plan was worked out for him, using a points system that still allows occasional treats. He lost 4lbs in the first week and has continued to lose weight.

As a result of his success and the growing national problem of childhood obesity the Shapes class leader, Heather Wyatt, is now starting a six-week trial group called Junior Shape.

Mrs Wyatt said: "We have decided to start the junior diet trials because mums get very confused about diets and diet food."

The Junior Shape trial started at the Rachel Fowler Centre at Spa Road on Wednesday. For details on Shapes call (01380) 828372.