A labourer has told how he has managed to shed 10 stone in 10 months - and still have a beer after Slimming World sessions.

Kevin Harvey, from Faversham, says he used to eat crisps, chocolate and bread, along with at least 15 pints a week.

In 2021 he hit 25st 5lb, was pre-diabetic, had osteoarthritis in his knees and struggled to walk.

The 53-year-old says he was pressured by doctors to get gastric band surgery - but decided he wanted to lose the weight naturally.

He began cutting back on calories at the end of 2021, but found it difficult to get going again after Christmas.

In February 2022, Kevin signed up for Slimming World in Faversham and has now dropped to 15st 8lb.

While he no longer drinks as much booze, he still enjoys a pint of bitter after meeting with the group.

“I usually have one on Tuesday night after the session at Slimming World," he told KentOnline.

“That one pint's not going to get any better - and when you have less of it, it’s actually better. I really enjoy it.”

Kevin recalls how he could "hardly walk" before shedding the weight.

“In 2021 I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my knees and I was pre-diabetic," he said.

“After x-rays, the doctors told me that one of my knees was severe.

"Every pound I lose is four pounds of pressure off my knees...”

“I could hardly walk. What should have been a 10-minute walk to work was taking me half an hour.

“But now I’m back to 10 minutes and every pound I lose is four pounds of pressure off my knees.”

Kevin says he has learnt recipes and better eating habits through Slimming World.

“They taught me a whole host of recipes, but I tend to just do the easy stuff and use the microwave,” he said.

"I used to eat lots of chocolate, chips and bread, lots of sandwiches and cake-type items. I ate like a child. If I wanted it I had it and the bigger I got the more I had.

"I also drank quite a bit five or six nights a week. During the week I’d have between two and four pints and then more on the weekends if I didn’t have work the next day.

"15 pints a week would be conservative.

“But now my diet is really good. I have shredded wheat and skimmed milk for breakfast, and I eat a lot of fruit like bananas and grapes.

“Rather than eat sandwiches for dinner, like I used to, now I’ll do like a baked potato in the microwave with some chicken.”

Kevin says what’s helped him along the way has been the support of his family and work colleagues.

His advice to anyone who wants to lose weight is to really go for it.

“Decide you’re going to do it, and do it and really be serious about it," he said.

“It’s no good dipping your toe in the water - you’ve got to jump in.”