A landmark birthday has helped an Egremont woman to lose more than three-and-a-half stones in just four months – and she’s not finished yet!

Caraline Caton has been entered into the Annual Cambridge Slimmer Awards after dropping from 14st 4lb to 10st 9lb, thanks to the Cambridge diet.

The 49-year-old has set a target of losing five stones by her 50th birthday in October, and is already feeling more confident.

“I’ve battled all my life with my weight. I’ve lost some and then put it back on,” she said.

“I’d been shopping in London with my son and couldn’t find anything that fit me. It was really demoralising.

“I’ve got four weeks to go and another stone and a bit to lose. I wanted to feel better in myself.

“I can get back in clothes from a couple of years ago. I feel more confident in myself, I feel more healthy and I’ve got more energy.”

The Cambridge Weight Plan sees participants undertake a meal replacement plan, including milkshakes and cereal bars.

“I’ve been having three meal replacements a day for about 15 weeks,” said Caraline.

And her dedication has lead to her consultant Carley Richards putting her forward for an award.

Caraline said: “Carley put me forward after my weight loss so I’ve got my fingers crossed now. It makes you feel good – when I started I thought ‘how will I lose so much weight when I love chocolate and cake?’

“She has been fantastic and a great support. I was size 18 and now I am a size 10-12. It seemed like a big mountain to climb but I’ve just chipped away, it’s nice for her to put me in for the award and to get a bit of acknowledgement.

“It was a struggle in the first week, but then your brain kicks in and you think this is what I want. You do get tempted now and again but I don’t want to fail.”

Award winners will be announced at the Cambridge Weight Plan annual convention in November.