A SUCCESSFUL slimmer from Gunnislake has been crowned the group winner of Slimming World's Man of the Year competition 2010.

Michael Knill, 61, has so far lost just over three stones since joining the Tavistock Slimming World group, after promising his late wife that he would lose weight.

Michael's wife of 30 years, Lesley, died in July last year. He said: 'One of the things I promised her before her death was that I would lose 100 pounds and get healthy. When Lesley died I was 26 stones and three pounds and I managed to lose just over four stones from my own efforts. However, with Christmas my resolve faded and I put much of this back on.'

Michael then joined Slimming World: 'I knew I would be one man among many ladies, but the welcome I received banished all thoughts of embarrassment. Everyone has been exceptionally encouraging. At the last weigh-in I was exactly 20 stones.'

After being overweight for 10 to 15 years, Michael now does gardening every day and goes for weekly walks on Dartmoor for several miles at a time.

'My final target is to get to 15 stones,' said Michael. 'Impossible? Well watch this space.'

Tracy Horton, consultant for the Tavistock Slimming World group, said: 'Michael is a great inspiration to everyone in the group and we are very proud of his achievement.'