REPRESENTATIVES of a weight-loss group in Cumnock met a well-known TV personality to round off a successful year.

The Slimming World team met Stephen Mulhern when he presented the organisation’s annual awards at a ceremony co-hosted with its founder and chairwoman, Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE.

Kimberley Sim said meeting Stephen, who presents Catchphrase, Britain’s Got More Talent and Big Star’s Little Stars, was a brilliant way to get ready for another productive year.

She added: “We couldn’t be prouder of our members. They’ve lost fantastic amounts of weight throughout 2016, with many of them making their weight loss dreams come true by hitting their target weight, improving their health and confidence, and more.”

“It’s so rewarding to see people being able to do things that they didn’t think possible before losing weight, whether that’s having more energy and confidence, wearing smaller clothes, taking up new hobbies, reducing medication or doing more with their family and friends.

“Every week we feel so lucky to play even a small part in people’s achievements and we felt very honoured to represent our Slimming World groups when we met Stephen. He was bowled over by the difference Slimming World makes to people and how it changes their lives, so meeting him has re-inspired us and now we feel super motivated to support even more people in Cumnock to lead healthier, happier lives in 2017.”

Her colleague Gillian Milton said: “revealed that 2016 has been a big year for Slimming World, with the organisation welcoming hundreds of thousands of members and winning awards for both its food range and magazine. Lots of people will be making resolutions to lose weight and improve their health this new year. I truly believe that joining a local Slimming World group is the best way for people to lose weight and learn new habits.”

“Thanks to our Food Optimising eating plan they’ll see big results on the scales without ever having to feel hungry or deprived, and they’ll discover a whole world of support and advice that’s sure to help them reach their targets,” Gillian said.

Stephen was genuinely thrilled to meet the Slimming World consultants at the event, which was held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre.

He said: “While all of their stories were different, the one thing they all had in common was how much they felt they owed to their Slimming World family.”

“Every one of them spoke passionately about how they felt that they couldn’t have achieved everything they had or made the changes they have to eat more healthily and become more active without the support, advice and encouragement of their group each and every week. So the people who run the groups are clearly very important.”

Visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000 for more information.