A mother-of-five has been named Woman of the Year by her slimming group -- after shedding more than a quarter of her weight and dropping six dress sizes in eight months.

Fiona Walton has dropped three dress sizes

Amanda Edwards decided enough was enough when, at 23-and-a-half stone, she was unable to play with her youngest daughter, because she became so out of breath.

Last Christmas, she vowed to slim down and, on January 3, joined Slimming World's Witney group.

She has since shed 6st, dropped from a size 30 to 24 -- and is determined to lose another 8st to reach her target weight of 9st 5lb.

Mrs Edwards, 44, who lives in Highworth Place, Witney, with husband Graham and children Gareth, 18, Don, 16, Robert, 14, Sarah, 12, and six-year-old Lisa, said: "Everything has changed. I now go to the gym three times a week for an hour and 20 minutes at a time, I've cut down on the chocolate and other fatty foods, and feel a world of difference.

"I can now play with Lisa, and do things that would have made breathless before."

The full-time mother said it was the support of Slimming World leader Becki Goodwin and other members which kept her focused on her goal.

"It's life-changing and I've got so much more confidence -- I've still got a way to go, but there's no turning back now," she said.

Mrs Edwards attends the slimming class every Monday from 5.30pm to 7pm at the Congregational Church in Witney High Street.

She was picked as class winner of the year, along with 29-year-old Fiona Walton, of Carterton, who attends the club's later Monday session, starting at 7pm.

Like Mrs Edwards, care agency assistant manager Mrs Walton took the plunge and joined the class only a few days into the New Year.

She has since lost 3st 9lb and dropped three dress sizes.

Mrs Walton, who married husband Steve seven years ago and has a daughter Hollie, five, and 14-month-old son Alfie, said: "I've slowly put on weight over the years, and haven't lost it after having children.

"I suppose it's through contentment, but I got sick of wearing the same clothes and wanted to shop at different places and buy different clothes.

"The final straw was looking at an old photo and thinking 'what have I done to myself'?"

She hopes to continue losing weight until she feels happy with her size, but has not set a specific target.

Mrs Goodwin, who runs the Witney classes and is area co-ordinator for Slimming World, said: "Both of these women have done so well and really deserve to feel proud of their achievement.

"It's the support network, and encouragement of other members, that really helps."