SUPER slimmers from South Craven are celebrating after shedding more than 16 stones between them.

When Cross Hills woman Maria Webster got married in September 2003, she weighed nearly 18 stones and walked down the aisle in a size 26 wedding dress.

Two-and-a-half years later and she's a svelte 10 stones and has dropped down to a size 10 to 12.

And the senior secretary says the secret to her success was attending a Weight Watcher's session with a friend in July 2004.

She told the Herald: "My friend was going and asked if I wanted to go with her. I had tried diets before as I have been big since I was about 14. I was fed up not being able to get any clothes from shops except from Evans and other shops for larger women.

"Everyone was really nice at the session, I didn't set a target weight at first I just took it a step at a time. I found it quite easy to stick to, I could still have two Chinese meals every week, crisps and Weight Watchers chocolate bars."

She added: "I wish now I had done it before I got married."

Also in the class was senior health care support worker at Airedale Hospital Suzanne Wilson, who weighed a whopping 18 stones when she joined Weight Watchers three years ago.

Now the 5ft 7ins tall mum-of-two is her perfect weight at just over 11 stones four pounds and has inspired her daughter Kate, 22, to lose some weight.

Suzanne, of Jennings Close, said: "I have struggled with my weight on and off. The weight had gradually crept on. A friend called and said she was going to Weight Watchers and decided to go along."

Suzanne lost a massive 10-and-half pounds in her first week and never looked back.

The women's successes have been personal journeys, but leader Mark Oldfield has been an inspiration.

And Mark knows the struggle his slimmers go through after shedding three stones himself on the diet.

Mark, who runs classes in Silsden and Settle, started working for Weight Watchers in 2002 and left two years later to travel the world. He rejoined in November 2005 .

Now the trio are urging other would-be slimmers to take up the challenge. Suzanne said: "I would say stop putting it off and get on with it. I wish I had done it before."

Classes are held at Settle Primary School at 7pm on Tuesdays and at Silsden Methodist Church on Wednesdays at 7pm.