Trowbridge mum Sarah Dearden lost nearly three stone in weight after a terrifying incident in which her son almost fell into a river.

Mrs Dearden, a civil engineer, swapped takeaways for healthy food and joined her local Slimming World group after she was unable to catch up with her three-year-old son Oliver when he ran off while they were out walking. 

The 36-year-old said Oliver disappeared when she turned her back for a moment and started running towards the water. She tried desperately to run after him, but she couldn’t catch up.

Mrs Dearden said: “I was running as fast as I could but I was overweight and so unfit I was too slow to catch up with him. I was so angry and upset with myself that I was unable to save my son due to my weight and fitness.”

Luckily, a couple walking along the river bank saw what was happening and grabbed Oliver before he fell in. They kept him safe until his mum arrived.

The incident prompted Mrs Dearden to join a gym and start boxing, before a shoulder injury made her join the Slimming World group in North Bradley School.

Mrs Dearden added: “I was nervous before going in, but it was the best thing I ever did. The consultant Hannah was lovely and explained the plan to me. There was no judging or humiliation.

“No one knew my weight and I was never made to feel embarrassed. All the members made me feel at home and we swapped recipes and ideas.

“In my first week I lost 5lb and everyone was so happy for me. I went back to the gym and took up running and now I can race my son and win.”

Mrs Dearden was voted Woman of the Year 2014 at her group and is now taking over the consultant role from January 2015 at the Slimming World North Bradley group held at the village school.

For details, call 07787407229 or visit slimmingworld.com