The 62-year-old Selby Weightwatchers member initially weighed a staggering 17st 11lb (pictured) at her first meeting after 30 years of eating fatty foods.

But spurred on after losing husband of nearly 40 years Ken to a heart attack, Betty defied the odds to reach her goal weight of 11st 6lb in just three years.

She said: "I was devastated to lose Ken, of course, but it made me realise how important healthy eating was.

"The day I reached my target was very emotional. I would never have believed three years earlier this day would have ever happened."

Betty – who previously attempted the Atkins Diet – was shocked when team leader Sandra Ramshaw told her she must shed nearly six stone to get back in shape and reduce the risk of health problems.

"I could never see that happening," said Betty. "But I thought 'I'm here now, so I might as well give it a go'."

Betty threw away her frying pan, took on the 'points plan' and started walking up to seven miles a day.

She lost 15lb in the first couple of months, before losing Ken. But super slimmer Betty overcame the tragedy and went on to shed 50lb within 12 months.

She reached 75lb a year later before hitting her target – taking her from a size 24 to just 14.

"My daughter Tracey is so proud and pleased for me. It wasn't until we looked at photos of me and Ken we realised how big I was before," said Betty, who's now celebrating maintaining her goal weight for 12 months.