For decades, Bev Wright wore nine stones around her waist, arms and thighs – now she's wearing them round her finger.

Her husband has bought her a diamond-studded ring to celebrate her incredible two-year diet.

The 53-year-old teaching assistant steadily dropped from 20st 4lb to 11st 4lb after joining a slimming club in 2011.

On the night she finally hit her 9st loss target, husband Gary - a 54-year-old London Underground technician - had her present waiting at their home in Magpie Hall Road, Chatham.

Mr Wright – who had put £1 in her piggy bank for every pound she lost – bought a ring studded with nine diamonds, one for every stone she lost.

"It'll always be a reminder," said mother-of-two Mrs Wright. "I never want to put this weight back on again.

"I've got so much more energy. I go to the gym three times a week and I walk everywhere."

Mrs Wright gained weight after her son Christopher died of cancer aged two in 1992.

"I've been overweight most of my life," she said. "I would join a club, lose 2st then put it back on again.

"Gary has always supported me. I don't think he really thought I was going to stick to it but he never mentioned anything."

Also helping her were her son Simon, 21, daughter Angie, 19, and colleagues at Greenvale Infant School in Symons Avenue, Chatham.

"The kids have noticed, particularly some of the children where I might have taught their siblings before," she said.

"There are still photos of me on our board at school and they all say 'I can't believe that's you'."

Mrs Wright put her success down to the "extra easy" diet at her slimming class at Chatham's Bishop of Rochester Academy.

Dieters must fill at least a third of each plate with the healthiest foods, but nothing is forbidden.

"I just think it's because I can eat normal food," she said. "We have roast dinners, lasagne – I eat with the family."

The Slimming World group meets every Tuesday evening. Call 07742 261053 for more details.