THEY are a bunch of losers - in the best possible sense.

Every one of them has lost weight and is well on the way to their target after months of healthy eating and exercise.

Retired couple Sylvia, 67, and Mike Lockey, 68, from Chandler's Ford, joined Slimming World together in January.

Mike reached his target by losing two stone, while Sylvia has dropped a whopping five stone.

When she first came to the group she walked with a stick and was sometimes pushed in a wheelchair by her husband.

But now she has dispensed with both and has just gone on a cruise with a suitcase full of fashionable new clothes.

"Losing the weight has made such a difference to Mike and Sylvia.

Sylvia in particular has really come out of herself since losing the five stone," said Karen Goodyear, Slimming World area manager.

Aimi Curtis, 35, from Fair Oak, joined Slimming World in April and to date has lost just over three stone.

She is so thrilled that she has set up her own website showing details of her journey and is looking and feeling so much better for her weight loss.

Mandy Kinchington, 34, of Millbrook, Southampton, has also lost five stone.

Karen Applegate, 39, of Chandler's Ford, lost two stone and Sophie Holman, 26, of Eastleigh, lost three.

All three are members of local Slimming World groups and they have all been recognised for their slimming success.

Penny Langdon, 42 from Colden Common, has lost four stone and is really enjoying life with her trim new shape.

After being widowed several years ago, she has met a new man and they got engaged last week.

Meanwhile, Pam Morris from Chandler's Ford has lost threeand- a-half stone and will soon saddle up for the Cycle India Challenge."

I started Slimming World at 16st 7lb and have now set my target at 13st 7lb, which I reached after five months," she said."I have left it at this while I train for my Cycle India Challenge.

This takes place in December where I will cycle 390km in five days to raise funds for charity."