A WEIGHT-loss wonder whose size threatened to be the death of him has become the face of Lincoln in a national competition after losing more than 10st.

A weight-loss wonder whose size threatened to be the death of him has become the face of Lincoln in a national competition after losing more than 10st.

Rick Booth was spurred on to drop the pounds after a harsh warning from doctors that his weighty stature could lead to an early death.

Rick Booth, before and after his diet.

And during a trip abroad, he could barely fit in a plane seat and end up being strapped to a chair with a belt made for pregnant women.

He said he joined Slimming World for the sake of his children Amy, 19, and Ryan, 15.

Now his frame has gone from a meaty 23st 6lb to a svelte 13st 7lb in 18 months and he has aspirations to run the London Marathon.

He said: "My weight was starting to dominate my life and was stopping me from doing the things I wanted to do, wearing the clothes I wanted to wear and ultimately, being the person I wanted to be.

"I feel like a new man in so many ways, but I am the same person I always was deep down."

The success won him a place representing Lincoln in the semi-finals of Slimming World's Man of the Year competition, in which he made the final 12.

But the cherry on the cake for Mr Booth was meeting World Cup goalkeeping legend Peter Shilton at the contest in Derbyshire.

"Meeting Peter Shilton was the perfect way to celebrate reaching my weight loss goal – and compensate for the England team going out of the World Cup," said Mr Booth.

"I feel so fit and healthy, like I could run rings around the squad right now."

Slimming World consultant Sue Smith, who runs the North Hykeham group, said before his slimming quest, Mr Booth would put away double portions of fish and chips.

Now, he fills up on fish, pasta, potatoes and vegetables.

After losing 5st, he started running and his blood pressure returned to normal. The change in his appearance was so drastic that his GP walked straight past him in the surgery.

Ms Smith said: "I'm so proud of Rick and what he has achieved.

"He never misses a session at the group and he's a real inspiration to the other members, showing them that anything is achievable when you put your mind to it."