A diabetic of 30 years says he no longer needs medication after just six months on a groundbreaking programme.

Peter Maher, of Ennerdale Bridge, cut down on carbohydrates and has lost four-and-a-half stones since March. Now he does not take any medication at all.

The 69-year-old former clerk of Lamplugh Parish Council and secretary of Ennerdale Hub Ltd was diagnosed with type two diabetes when he was 38.

Earlier this year, he was taking seven different types of tablets and two types of insulin to control his condition – enough medication to fill a shopping bag each month.

His condition deteriorated to the point where he needed to start injecting 12 years ago.

He said: “I was depending on medication so heavily and injecting three to four times a day. It was becoming painful because the injections points were becoming swollen and hard.”

When he saw research on the news from Professor Roy Taylor of Newcastle University, which claimed major weight loss could return insulin secretion to normal, he got in touch and started dieting.

Peter will star as a case study in ITV’s Tonight programme today which will reveal the latest findings from Prof Taylor.

A spokesman for Newcastle University said diabetes costs the NHS £10bn a year – almost 10 per cent of its entire budget.

He added: “Our work has shown that type two diabetes is not inevitably progressive and life-long. It has been possible to work out the basic mechanisms which lead to type two diabetes.

“Too much fat within the liver and pancreas prevents normal insulin action and prevents normal insulin secretion. Both defects are reversible by substantial weight loss.”

Peter said it is important to seek medical advice, both locally and from Professor Taylor, before trying a new diet and cutting down on medication.

The documentary will be broadcast on ITV1 at 7.30pm.