An 18-year-old Black Country apprentice accountant counted up a six stone weight loss in eight months. Sonia Foster went from 17st 2lb to 11st 2lb.

The ex-Wood Green High School pupil of Lyme Road, Wednesbury, said she had a weakness for crisps, chocolate and pastries. “I would eat healthy things but in huge quantities. And despite being good at sport at school. I could never last a whole match because of my size.

“Things came to a head at New Year. All my friends were talking about the dresses they would wear and got so much attention when we were out. We had booked a summer holiday in Zante and I vowed that by then I would be one of those slim, confident girls. I never wanted to feel like that again and the holiday gave me a target to aim for. This was a big bonus. I knew I was working to a tight deadline.”

Before 5ft, 10in Sonia, a right back for Walsall Ladies football team, wore size 20-22 trousers and 22-24 tops.

She is now a size 12 and says: “Every wage packet since I started losing weight has gone on clothes, my dress size was falling every month.I have just got back from Zante where we had an amazing time.”