A 'BIG lad' turned super slimmer who shed more than two and a half stone in just three months says slimming groups are not just for women.

Craig Cook of Saddlers Walk, Worcester is already looking trimmer and feeling fitter after shedding the weight in double quick time at a city group, urging other men not to suffer in silence.

The picture showing Mr Cook in the black top was taken in the summer of this year where he was a size 3XL. The one in the hoodie with the cap is where he is today, back into a size XL.

The 43-year-old, a full time carer for his mum said he was 'a big lad' and, despite his dramatic weight loss, 'still had a long way to go'.

He added: "I wish more blokes would be more confident when it comes to stuff like Slimming World. It’s definitely not just for women and can help with mental health and physical health too. I hope I can help to inspire men and women as I'm a believer in Slimming World . A lot of people suffer in silence around mental health regarding weight problems and I want to help by spreading the word if it will help”.

The father-of-four suffers from a condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a group of inherited conditions that damage the peripheral nerves.

His programme includes portion control and eating more healthily. The changes have already resulted in dramatic weight loss from a high in 2014 when he weighed 26 and a half stone. He now weighs 20 stone and 10lbs but the 6ft dad wants to get down to at least 17 stone.

Mr Cook, a former Elgar High School pupil, said: "I hope it helps inspire someone to get on the scales and lose a few pounds. It's surprising, when you shed a few pounds, how it can help you."

He described how the regime had worked 'absolute wonders' for both his physical and mental health.

"Having the weight I was carrying before - it was a bit of a struggle," he said. "There are a lot of people who suffer in silence when it comes to weight. Slimming World isn't just for women. It's for blokes as well."

His Slimming World group meets at the Masonic Lodge in Rainbow Hill in Worcester on Tuesdays at 9.30am. At the moment it has 50 members. A new consultant, Sophie Ellis, is due to take over the group from January 4.