A SUPER slimming couple from Taunton have lost 11st 11lbs between them to reach the finals of a national weight loss competition.

Gavin and Jo Helyar got in shape with the help of their local Slimming World group.

They say the secret of their success was getting support from each other at home as well as from other members at Slimming World.

Jo, 32, lost 4st 7lbs, dropping from 15st 5lbs to 10st 12lbs, and said: “I think losing weight together made a big difference because we were able to spur each other on every week and we were eating the same meals.

“We eat much healthier now. We make everything ourselves and we’re both more active nowadays.

“The support of the group was really important – the other members have been an inspiration and I’m proud to say people tell us we’ve inspired them as well.”

Jo’s fellow members at the group voted for her and Gavin to be Taunton’s Slimming World Couple of the Year 2014.

They represented Taunton at the national finals and didn’t win, but it was no deterrent.

Gavin, 32, who lost 6st 8lbs to bring his weight down to 14st 3lbs, said: “We were delighted to be part of the finals, but if we’re honest we already feel like we’ve won the biggest prize we could have wished for because losing weight has completely changed our lives.”