A super-fit Selby mother is half the woman she used to be after shedding more than seven stone in weight.

Six years ago, when she was pregnant with her first child, Daniel, Sharon Martin, 29, of Park Avenue, Barlow, weighed 15 stone.

Another child later and with hundreds of hours spent in the gym, Sharon weighs in at just over eight stone and holds a regional championship for her physique.

She said: "At first I went to Weight Watchers after Daniel was born and managed to lose two-and-a-half stone through dieting and a little bit of fitness."

After giving birth to her second son, Connor, in 1997, Sharon found she was stuck on 13 stone until a neighbour suggested she join in a sponsored slim for charity.

"I lost one-and-a-half stone doing that and so decided to keep going. I joined a gym with my husband, Darran, who is a bodybuilder."

Within six months Sharon had a lean, toned body and had dropped two dress sizes.

She said: "It's fantastic. I feel so much better with myself now. I train four or five times a week which I combine with looking after the kids and holding down a job as a part-time hairdresser.

"At the time I didn't think I was too bad, but looking back now it makes me cringe. It's great to be able to wear trendy clothes.

Not content with simply losing weight Sharon decided to enter local fitness-physique championships this year.

She went on to win the Five Towns title in front of her cheering family and friends.

Sharon said: "It was the ultimate feeling to win the trophy. It was a really proud moment. Everyone was so supportive.

selby@ycp.co.uk