SHEDDING more than four stones in weight has put a spring in Hannah Boutell's step in more ways than one.

The 21-year-old, who runs a Hampshire dog grooming service, reckons her mammoth weight loss helped her to scoop a major award at Crufts dog show.

Hannah, who strolled away with the title of Senior Handler, said slimming down from a size 20 to 12 had also given her a new leash of life.

She had begun to pile on the pounds when her marriage ran into problems and she ate for comfort.

"I began eating double portions and was very partial to fried eggs and ice-cream," she said.

"When I began gaining weight I also began to lose confidence in myself. Some people at shows would avoid me and I believe it was because I had increased in size and they were embarrassed to talk to me."

But Hannah's life radically changed when she signed up with her local branch of Weight Watchers.

"People say it is hard to lose weight but if you are determined you can do it," said Hannah, of Doncaster Road, Eastleigh.

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