CLAIRE Brown lost so much weight on her slimming programme she managed to persuade her husband to become a counsellor for the company which had helped her.

The company is called Lighter Life and owner Roger Meaden has opened up new premises for his business on the South Marston Park.

"I've expanded from Trowbridge to Swindon because I'm sure I can help both men and women in this area who are obese," he said.

Claire, 36, of Chamberlain Road, Stratton, is Roger's star pupil to date in Swindon.

She managed to lose four stone in four months on Roger's programme and that was more than a year ago.

"When you've lost your weight then it's up to you to eat sensibly which I've managed to do," said Claire, who works for Thames Water.

"I had tried all the usual suspects in losing weight which were no good for me and I got nowhere.

"Then someone at work suggested trying Roger's programme and of course I am delighted."

As well as dropping down from more than 14 stone to just about 10 and shrinking from dress size 20 to 12, Claire says that all her confidence has returned.

"My husband Pete is absolutely thrilled for me but he never once criticised when I was overweight," she said.

"I love going shopping now and just have to be careful that I don't spend too much."

Pete and Claire will be going on holiday in a couple of weeks and Claire is shopping for a new bikini.

Roger, like all weight reduction counsellors, is cagey about how much his programme costs and it is not cheap.

"But before anyone gets involved with it they have a session with me which is free," he said. "There I explain just what they can expect and what it will cost.

"This programme is only open to people who are more than three stones overweight and before they go on it they must have a certificate from their doctor.

"During the sessions they regularly visit their GPs.

"This programme has been in existence for 10 years and it was founded by three professional women in this country with a personal experience of obesity."

To find out more about the LighterLife programme and book a free appointment, call 01793 843999 or visit www.lighterlife.com