An Edinburgh woman has been named Slimmer of the Year after shedding more than half her body weight, dropping down from a size 32 to a slim size 10.

Margaret Balneaves, 51, received her award on Wednesday and dedicated it to her husband who inspired her to lose the weight.

At 32 stone, Charlie was admitted to hospital to lose weight as his size was making his diabetes and thyroid problems worse.

It was then that Margaret decided she also needed to do something about her health.

Sadly Charlie suffered kidney failure and died of a heart attack in November 2007.

Margaret channelled her grief into exercise, determined to slim down for the sake of her daughter.

As a result, 21 stone Margaret lost over 11 stone in two years.

Margaret told STV: “I didn’t want my daughter to lose both of her parents. I think the exercise helped me over the grief.

“I joked with my husband when we were going to lose the weight that we would be in the magazine together one day.

“I’m doing it for myself and my husband. This award is a tribute to Charlie who I know would have been so proud of me.

“I was determined to keep on going to lose more weight for my own health and to honour my husband’s memory.”

Her hard work paid off and at 9st 12lb, Margaret collected the Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Magazine 50+ Slimmer of the Year award.

Initially, Margaret cut out fast food, takeaways, pies and cakes and started doing exercise at home, losing six stone before Charlie died.

After he died, she decided she would join a group to get added support and started going to the Rosemary Conley classes in January 2008.

She puts the weight loss down to this support and her strict exercise regime.

She said: “Although I only managed six lengths at first, I pushed myself and now go three times a week and swim 60 lengths a time.

“My weight-loss has improved my health to the point where I am now off my diabetic medication. This is a change of lifestyle, not a diet, and it is a change that has quite possibly saved my life.”