A GREAT Yarmouth couple are looking forward to getting married after dramatically shrinking in size before their big day.

Caroline O’Meara and Andy Calmels have lost more than eight stone between them ahead of their wedding this summer.

Both were determined to slim down before tying the knot at Gorleston Register Office on July 23.

Caroline has lost just over five stone, losing 16 inches from her waistline, shrinking from a size 26 to 14. Now tipping the scales at 11st 6lb, she managed to continue shedding the pounds despite working at a tea room during holiday season.

Battling with her weight for several years, Caroline, 35, suffered significant health problems including painful knees and irritable bowel syndrome.

Since joining a St George’s Slimming World Group with Andy just 16 months ago, Caroline has transformed her lifestyle, swapping takeaways for home-cooked meals.

The couple have even been paragliding, something neither would have dreamt of doing before losing weight.

A rents assistant for Norwich City Council, Andy, 40, now weighs 10st 2lb and reached his target weight six months ago.

Bride to be Caroline is aiming to shed another stone before walking down the aisle.

And now the couple are hoping to celebrate being crowned Slimming World’s Couple of the Year at the national final on Sunday.

Caroline will have to give a seven-minute speech about her experiences losing weight at the event in Derby.

A passenger assistant at Albies Taxis, Caroline also works at Sara’s Tearoom on Yarmouth seafront during the summer.

She said: “When my dad told me I was overweight, I knew I had to do something about it. I had never managed to stick to diets when I had tried them at home so asked Andy to come along to the slimming group with me for support. I used to suffer really badly with my knees and had IBS, which has gone away.

“I feel a lot more confident, enjoy going out and dressing up; before I was in tracksuit bottoms, but now have a whole new wardrobe.

“We have made so many friends at St George’s, who have always been there to help and support us and I would never have had the confidence to get married the size I was.”

The couple met at a line dancing class in London and moved to Yarmouth eight years ago to be nearer Andy’s family.

Group consultant Rachel Middleton said: “I am so proud of Caroline and Andy’s achievement and how inspirational they are to the other members. We are all looking forward to our first Slimming World wedding and maybe our first national competition winners.”

l For more information about St George’s Slimming World Group call Rachel on 01493 601106.