A MOTHER and daughter from Westhoughton are hoping to inspire would-be-slimmers with their own weightloss success.

Ella and Alison Paxford teamed up to help lose five and half stone between them and change their lives for the better.

Mum Ella, aged 55, joined the Westhoughton Mercury Weightwatchers club 18 months ago after a trip to the doctors found she had high blood pressure and at risk of type two diabetes.

Daughter Alison, aged 28, followed her four months later and has dropped eight dress sizes from a size 18 to 10.

Mrs Paxton said: "The majority of our weight loss was done together, encouraging each other, planning meals and recipes and sharing ideas.

"Alison always had problems with her weight, which we can all have. For her to lose three stone and keep it off is amazing, she looks so much happier and is a lot more confident and motivated. I'm so proud of her, and she is proud of me.

"I work for a bakers so that has been quite difficult dealing with the cakes, but with Alison there we have motivated each other and been their for each other all the way through. it's been a good weight loss journey.

"If I can inspire just one woman to do what we have done as a mum and daughter something else good will have come out of it."

As well as losing two and a half stone and dropping to dress sizes, the weight loss has also meant Mrs Paxton's blood pressure has now returned to normal and and the threat of type two diabetes gone.

Together with her daughter, who is a hairdresser, the pair continue to make regular visits to their Weightwatchers meetings.

Weightwatchers mentor champion, Claire Bond, said: "I’m really proud of both mum and daughter and am positive their story would help other ladies in Bolton make that first step in choosing a healthier lifestyle.

"They have both done fabulously."