A WORCESTER man who has lost nearly 10 stone in just over a year is, quite literally, a shadow of his former self.

Simon Harrison said he has new-found confidence and independence and is winning his battle with diabetes.

We reported in your Worcester News last year how Mr Harrison weighed 28-and-a-half stone before joining Weight Watchers and losing five stone.

He also received help and support from the Worcester-based brain injury charity Headway.

The 39-year-old has continued to shed weight through “pure determination” and now weighs 19 stone.

He has vowed to keep up the hard work and reach his target weight of 15 stone.

Until recently, Mr Harrison was living with his parents in Oddingley, near Droitwich, but thanks to support from Tracie Finnigan and Lyn Hughes at Headway and Anna King at Nexus Housing he has moved into his own flat in the Perdiswell area of Worcester.

The weight loss, through a strict diet and exercise at the gym, has given Mr Harrison the confidence to meet new friends and become more independent.

Doctors say he is now 90 per cent cured from diabetes and is just taking one tablet a day rather than using insulin.

Mr Harrison said: “It took over a year but I was able to do it through pure determination, a little frustration, as well as a diet to help.

“I have got the confidence now, which I thought I would never have.

“The help and support I have received has just been fantastic.

“The weight loss is slowing down a bit but I still want to lose another four-and-a-half stone. It is not going to be easy but it is all in the mind and I am determined to do it.”

Mr Harrison said he has received unbelievable support from his family to get settled in his own home.

He is now able to travel to Perdsiwell Leisure Centre on his own to keep burning off the calories.

“They helped me move in and get the flat painted in a weekend,” he said.

“I have now been here for eight weeks and my confidence is growing every day. I do get my challenges some days, but who wouldn’t?

“I am very happy here and have a new motto in life – if you don’t ask you don’t get.”