A larger-than-life vicar has lost more than a third of her body weight - and can kneel at the altar again.

Now slimline Reverend Alice Snowden, 48, is looking forward to taking part in Bradford's women-only Race for Life, for Cancer Research.

The Mission Impossible for former 'spy' Alice was to slim from a cuddly 17st 4oz to a dainty eight-and-a-half stone.

The 5ft 2in-tall vicar of St Matthew's in Bankfoot has made great progress, and is already down to 11-and-a-half stone.

She said: "I went to Stras-bourg in October to see a Philip Glass opera.

"Although I speak French, I couldn't seem to order food and got so mortified that I hardly ate for the whole weekend.

"I discovered that I wasn't actually that hungry and realised how little you need to stave off hunger.

"I carried on eating small amounts for six months, but didn't deny myself anything."

In April, she found a website www.feelingok.co.uk where slimmers encourage each other, began the Charles Clarke diet - a gentler version of the high-protein Atkins diet - and joined a gym.

Not only does she feel great, but her dogs do too. She said: "My six dogs get a lot more exercise with me now and I have signed up for the Race for Life, which I am walking in memory of my parishioners who have suffered from cancer. It is sheer joy to be able to do something physical for fun.

"I had got to the point where it hurt my knees too much to kneel down at the altar, which was a bit of a drawback!"

The former teacher and Russian translator at GCHQ has lived in Bradford for just over a year, before which she spent five years in Guiseley.

For anyone wishing to sponsor newly-trimmed Alice in the 5km Race for Life, an event to raise money for cancers that affect women, she has a sponsor form in her church on Carr Bottom Road.

l More than 1,000 women are taking part in Bradford's Race for Life in Lister Park at 11am on Sunday, July 20. There are still places left for women to register. Participants can walk, jog or run.

Go to www.raceforlife.co.uk or pick up an application form from Tesco's supermarket.