A WEIGHT loss expert from Tavistock has been rewarded for the work she does in helping more than 100 people to lose weight at her local group every week.

Tracy Horton, who runs the Tavistock Slimming World groups every week, has been awarded 'Pearl' status by the national slimming club because of her success in supporting slimmers to reach their dream weight and the service she provides to those members. She is the only consultant to receive this award.

The accolade is given to Slimming World consultants who consis-tently support, help and motivate members in their groups over several months.

It represents the highest level of service in slimming and places her in the top five per cent of the organisation's 3,500 consultants, meaning Tavistock is home to some of the best slimming support in the UK.

It's the first time Tracy has been awarded the prize since becoming a consultant and has just celebrated her 10 year anniversary with the company.

Tracy said: 'I am delighted to have received the Pearl award.

'I absolutely love my job, I'm passionate about helping people to transform their lives by losing weight and seeing them succeed is reward enough, but being given this recognition for the whole group really is the icing on the cake.

'This award belongs to the members in the morning groups at the moment, but I am determined that the evening groups will be given the same award in 2014.

'They're the ones who make our groups the success that they are, with their fabulous commitment, the wonderful support they give each other every week, and, obviously, their impressive weight losses . They make the group a fun, buzzy place to be and I can safely say I always look forward to going to work.

'I truly believe I have the best job in the world.'

Tracy said the Tavistock group had put healthy weight loss on the map, collectively losing an amazing 585 stones this year.

Tracy said:?'Obesity is at record levels everywhere and some residents in Tavistock are also affected, many people here are suffering a range of weight-related health problems from diabetes to heart problems and feelings of low self-worth that impact on their working and personal lives.

'It's never been more important that overweight people get the support to make the changes  and lead healthier lives — both for themselves and future generations.'