AS Slimming World enters its 50th year, Vanessa Steenton, who manages groups in Alton, celebrated half a century of success for the organisation by meeting TV personality and presenter Rylan Clark-Neal.

Rylan, who shot to fame after appearing on The X-Factor, co-hosted the annual Slimming World Awards with the organisation’s founder and chairwoman Margaret Miles-Bramwell.

Margaret opened her first group in 1969 and over the past 50 years, Slimming World has grown to become the UK’s leading group-based weight-management organisation, today supporting nearly one million slimmers.

Vanessa was “delighted” to meet Rylan and said hanging out with the TV host was a wonderful way to round off “a great year” for the Alton groups, as well as a brilliant way to lead into 2019 – Slimming World’s “Golden Year”.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the members of the Alton groups,” she added. “Not only have they lost fantastic amounts of weight throughout 2018 – with many of them hitting their target weights – they’ve also improved their health, boosted their confidence and are heading into 2019 with new healthy habits that will help them stay slim for life.

“Watching people change before my eyes and start being able to do things that they didn’t think possible before losing weight absolutely amazes me. Every week I feel privileged to play even a small part in supporting consultants to help people towards these achievements and to celebrate with them, so I felt especially honoured to represent Alton at the Slimming World Awards. Rylan was blown away by the difference Slimming World makes to people’s lives too.

“I truly believe that joining a local Slimming World group is the best way for people to lose weight, learn new habits and make long-term healthy changes. Thanks to our eating plan they’ll see big results on the scales without ever having to feel hungry or deprived, and at group they’ll discover a whole world of support and advice that’s sure to help them achieve their targets – and have a lot of fun along the way too.”