A Woodford Green accountant reached the final of a weight loss competition after losing a staggering16st 8lbs in two years.

Chris Penny, who is a member of Slimming World’s Woodford Green branch, in Snakes Lane East, made it in the national top 10 of weight loss company's Man of the Year 2015 award.

The 36-year-old lives in Ilford and works at NWN Blue Squared Limited, in Woodford Avenue, Woodford Green.

Chris has gone from 31st to 14st 6lbs since June 2013 by swapping snacks of crisps and chocolate for fruit, while cutting down on the regular pints of beer.

A typical daily diet has been scrambled eggs for breakfast, salad for lunch and a homemade curry for dinner.

He was inspired to start after his friend Amanda Conway lost her nine-year-old daughter Louise to leukaemia, and raised £4,500 for Children with Cancer UK to lose weight.

He said he had always known his size was a health issue so it was a chance to raise money while improving his health at the same time.

Chris, who reported that he no longer feels regularly out of breath, said he was proud to make the final.

He said: “I couldn’t believe how easy I found it to start making changes and how quickly I noticed a difference in myself – from the first week, actually.

“Before I joined Slimming World I didn’t think that eating healthily would ever leave me feeling satisfied and I expected to be hungry all the time while I was losing weight, but I found I could still enjoy all my favourite meals, from a curry with rice to steak, chips and salad, by making them differently.

“When I went to the group for the first time, I was worried that I’d be the only man there and stand out like a sore thumb.

“It didn’t feel like that at all though, everyone was really welcoming and all of the members made an effort to help me feel like part of the group.

“When my friends and family saw how much weight I was losing and how much it meant to me they were really impressed and they’ve been so supportive.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Chris Penny in early 2013 when he weighed 31 stone.

Gemma Atkinson, who currently stars in soap Emmerdale, met Mr Penny at Slimming World’s head office in Alfreton.

She said: “It was a pleasure to meet Chris and hear all about his weight loss.

“He obviously looks great but I know from talking to him that it’s about much more than that, he’s improved his health and is feeling happier and more confident too.

“I’m sure his story will inspire so many other men to follow in his footsteps and make some healthy changes.

“I’ll be telling all the blokes on the Emmerdale set all about him, that’s for sure.”

Woodford Green’s Slimming World class meet every Monday at 7.00pm at Prospect Hall, in Prospect Road, Woodford Green.