A LAUNCESTON woman is celebrating in style after losing four and a half stone and winning a local slimming competition.

Jo Lawrence who many of you will know from her work in the local chip shop, The Cod Father on St Thomas road, has seen her life change completely since losing the weight, especially after it helped her win the title of Slimming World Launceston's Woman of the Year 2010.

Jo hasn't just lost weight — she's won a personal battle that's threatening to overwhelm the UK as obesity levels continue to spiral out of control. There are already 15 million women in England who are overweight or obese. Predictions are that by 2020 17.7 million women in England will be overweight or obese.

The trend is mirrored across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The obesity epidemic brings with it health problems including diabetes, heart disease and cancer, putting an enormous strain on local NHS services.

Jo says her weight loss success has changed her life: "If I can inspire just one person to lose weight and become healthier, fitter and happier I will be thrilled. If I can do it anyone can, I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Obesity never seems to be out of the news these days and I was afraid that I was fast becoming one of the statistics. I have been overweight in my 20s and 30s, but I am not going into my 40s like it."

For more information, see this week's edition of the 'Post'.