EIGHTEEN months ago, there was no way Heather Schouten could have even considered taking part in Race for Life.

But fears for her health and believing she could die young, leaving her young daughter motherless, prompted her to take action.

Since then Mrs Schouten has lost six stone, slimming down seven dress sizes – from a size 26 to a 12 – and has signed on for Race for Life, which she is running in memory of her mother.

Mrs Schouten’s mother died from cancer when she was a teenager and she was adamant her own daughter, Phoebe, would not have to go through the same trauma.

"I was so unfit and breathless all the time and I feared for my health," she said.

Her transformation has also prompted her to a change of career; a former shop assistant she is now starting her own Slimming World franchise in Maidstone.

"I really want to help other people achieve what I have because my life is so much better now," said Mrs Schouten, of Keswick Drive, Allington, Maidstone. "I have so much more energy and I can be more active with my daughter."

Mrs Schouten said the secret of her diet was never going without her favourite foods; in that way, she said, she does not feel cheated.

She said: "I still have some chocolate every day but now I walk into town twice a week and incorporate exercise in my daily activities and the weight has just dropped off."

Mrs Schouten first realised how much her life had changed when she took her daughter to EuroDisney.

She said: "Not only could I wear shorts but I was able to fit on the rides, it was great.

"I always fantasised about being slim. I never even had a boyfriend when I was at school so I never could have imagined being a size 12, with my own business, but it just goes to show what you can do with the right help."

Mrs Schouten’s slimming classes open at Palace Wood Infants School, Talbot Road, Allington, on April 27, at 7pm. For details, call 01622 756791.