A Wisbech slimmer was named ‘man of the year’ after losing four stone in weight.

Having suffered from Type 2 diabetes for more than 15 years, Grahame Peacock joined Slimming World at Wisbech Rugby Club and has been going every Wednesday evening.

He has currently lost over four stone and been voted, by his fellow group members, as their man of the year 2018. Grahame also regularly takes home weekly and monthly achievement certificates.

He joined the group after moving back to the UK from America in 2016 and, at the time, he hadn’t realised how poor his health and wellbeing had become.

Grahame said: “I bought 100 per cent into the American lifestyle and gained over 200 pounds in the 16 years I lived there.”

Last year Grahame’s blood sugar level was 100 - it should be under 48 to be healthy - and says he was “a real mess”.

He added: “My best friend’s dad was seriously ill in hospital and the other two patients in his hospital room suffered with diabetes and had lost limbs to the dreadful condition.

“Unfortunately, my friend’s dad passed away and he came to me with a reality check.

“He told me he didn’t want to lose me to diabetes or see me lose any limbs because of it.”

As well as improving his eating habits, Grahame has also joined a gym, Fenland Running Club and every Saturday morning joins in the King’s Lynn Parkrun.

Issy, Grahame’s partner, said: “I am incredibly proud of Grahame. He has worked so hard on turning his life around.

“What I am most proud of, however, is how Grahame has lowered his blood sugar level from 100 to 46, in just 12 weeks.”

Grahame and Issy have also been busy walking their new dog, Molly-Bolly: the longest dog walk so far has been a five-mile trek to Elm and back.

Grahame said he has also got “addicted” to colour runs – with the Wisbech Brinks colour run being his first.

He will be taking part in the 2018 Color Run UK at Wembley on July 8 and the 2018 Fun Colouir Rush in Peterborough on July 15.

Grahame is also taking on the one million step challenge and 12 Bridges Challenge for Diabetes UK, with the aim of raising £1,500 in sponsorship.

Grahame will need to take 1 million steps from July 1 to September 30 and then on September 30 he, and Issy, will be participating in the 12 Bridges Challenge – a 10 mile walk over the 12 bridges that span the River Thames in London.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/grahame-peacock