A 71-YEAR-old slimmer is delivering a message of confidence this New Year following a solo hike up Snowdon.

Maureen Jepson, of Abergele, has been a Weight Watchers gold member for 16 years.

She joined the diet plan due to health concerns; she was out of breath just trying to get up from a chair.

Maureen, who is learning to swim, is hoping her experience gives others confidence.

She said: "My weight loss has given me so much confidence and the feeling that I can achieve anything. My motto is don’t ever give up.

"We all have times when we want to, but the next day we beat ourselves up. The positivity of Weight Watchers helps to overcome that.

"I was out of breath just trying to get up from a chair and had enough. With slow, gradual and realistic changes I was able to lose 52 lbs.

"This year, at the age of 70, I climbed Snowdon on my own. This was the start of even more adventures and truly gave me the determination to do other things like simply learning to swim.

"These to me are achievements which I never thought I could do but with the support of Weight Watchers and my friends at my meeting, I can and I will."