Slimmer Geoff lost 10 stone after being turned down from getting on Gulliver's World ride

Geoff Westhead, from Fingerpost, said: "It started a few years ago, I always trained and kept fit then I was stupid lifting one day and proper hurt my back.

"So I stopped and over time I got bigger and bigger.

Geoff now after losing weight

"Eventually I was too embarrassed to leave the house, I was depressed and my Mrs left me, which made it worse.

"Then one day my daughter's convinced me to go out to Gulliver's World with them and my grandkids so I did.

"I was having a good day until we queued up to go on a ride and the attendee had to tell me I couldn't get on the ride for health and safety reasons because I was too big to fit in.

"I weighed 24 stone, and had a 52 inch waist.

Geoff had weighed 24 stone

"I felt hopeless and depressed and it ruined the day.

"But when I got home and got in bed all depressed again, my daughters said 'This has to stop' and I don't know why that worked but it did."

Geoff, 53, got himself together and went and found a job as a kitchen porter at The Park and trained regularly while living a healthy lifestyle.

In three years, Geoff lost more than 10 stone and currently weighs 13 stone, with the aim of getting to 11 stone by the end of summer.

He said: "Honestly I've turned my life around.

Geoff with one of his daughters

"I hit rock bottom and hated myself, but that day I decided to do something about it to be around for my kids and grandkids.

"Training is the answer, when I feel depressed I train and it is good for me and it helps me get to where I want.

"That and having a job I love and a supportive family has got me though.

"I am proud actually."