A woman who has helped scores of Suffolk slimmers shed weight over the past 20 years has held her final session.

Julie Steele, 55, first joined a Slimming World group to start her own weight loss journey.

After losing four stone in 10 months, she took on a consultancy role at Lakenheath and has also held sessions at Feltwell, Brandon, Watton, Westbury and Bury St Edmunds.

East Anglian Daily Times: Julie Steele is leaving Slimming World after 20 years of helping slimmers shed weight.Julie Steele is leaving Slimming World after 20 years of helping slimmers shed weight. (Image: Julie Steele)

"When I initially joined Slimming World, I did not realise that I could eat all this food and lose weight," said Ms Steele.

"That's what motivated me to become a consultant. I decided to do this to help others and I have really enjoyed it."

During her time as a weight loss consultant, Ms Steele helped three people with "incredible weight losses" - one man lost 21 stone 9.5lbs, a woman lost 17.5 stone and another man lost 15.5 stone.

"I will truly miss all the people," she added.

"I have just loved my time and it was never like I was just 'going to work'."

Moving on to pastures new, Ms Steele and her partner will be leaving Suffolk to renovate a run-down bungalow in Wiltshire.