A Nottinghamshire mum who lost six stone after not being able to buy dresses to fit her has spoken of her 'remarkable' transformation.

Pauline Salter, 58, of Mattley Avenue, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, said depression had caused a 'massive' weight gain after the birth of her youngest child - now 17 - along with a leg break during the pregnancy.

She reached around 16 stone and took a size 26 dress - but decided two years ago to join Weight Watchers, which she said was the 'best thing' she'd ever done.

"I had just got up one morning and I had had enough. Nothing fitted me," she said.

"I was depressed, I was at my lowest. I was out of breath all the time, had high blood pressure and was told by my doctor if things did not change I could have diabetes.

Transformation: Pauline Salter before and after the weight loss.
Transformation: Pauline Salter before and after the weight loss.

"I would have crisps, biscuits, fry-ups, steak and chips - all the fatty stuff really and all the rubbish stuff and convenient food.

"I did not go with targets, I wanted to better myself and feel better about myself. I was just happy with what I lost each week."

She lost 84lbs - six stone - within a year and now takes a size 12 dress, at 10 stone 2lbs.

"It's really turned around my life. When I go shopping I have the right choice of anything. I feel loads more confident. I go out and walk all the time with my German Shepherd and make sure I do 10,000 steps a day," Miss Salter said.

"I love dancing and like meeting new people - thats the difference."

The mum-of-four said that when she went in to try a dress in a Mansfield charity shop, a member of staff who she and partner Michael Pilmore knew did not recognise her.

Miss Salter, who cares for her 92-year-old mum Evelyn Leahy, said: "I had gone into the shop with my better half. She also knew him. I went to try a dress on and she showed me into a room and I was a short time.

Pauline Salter, after the weight loss, with mum Evelyn Leahy.

"She went up to my partner and asked if he was still with the other lady that he used to bring into the shop or had he now separated from her.

"He replied saying, 'No, it's the same lady you have shown in to try the dress on'. She could not believe it and she gave me loads of compliments. I had a great day and felt on a high."

Mr Pilmore, 62, who works in the plastic industry, said: "It was slow at first, you do not notice the difference until after a while because you lose a few pounds here and there. After a while you start to notice when her dresses do not fit. It's remarkable.

"I'm very proud of her. She's like a new woman. It's made her more confident going out and everything. We have cut down on fry-ups and McDonald's. When we do meals we have more vegetables now. Before it was more potatoes and now we have less potatoes."

He said their relationship of around 19 years had improved, adding: "We used to watch TV eating crisps and cooking chips in the chip pan. But we have not had the chip pan out for years.

"We did not go out because she had to wear sandals. She could not get any clothes to fit - and they were not very glamorous clothes.

"Plus we could not walk anywhere because she had swollen ankles. If we went anywhere for a walk we had to sit down and go to a cafe for a drink and cake. She was limited to walking a few hundred yards."