A theatre crew member from Street, whose weight caused her to break a prop she sat on, was spurred into shedding more than three stone during the first lockdown.

Becky Higgins, aged 26, was devastated when the bed on the set of pantomime Sleeping Beauty collapsed beneath her.

However, the mishap caused her to spring into action and she joined a Slimming World group in Street, where she was recently crowned Woman of the Year 2020 by her fellow members.

The competition celebrates the achievements of thousands of women up and down the country who have made long-term healthy lifestyle changes.

Becky, a production co-ordinator, said: "I was just totally overwhelmed to be voted Woman of the Year by the men and women I admire so much.

"There are so many amazing members in our group who have achieved so much and are so passionate about their journeys that I felt so much gratitude they chose me.

"I was also really proud though of my aims to push myself and help others and to have courage on their incredibly scary journey but also be kind to others on theirs."

Becky, who feels she has always been conscious of her weight, describes feeling at her lowest when she decided to reach out for help with her weight.

She said: "I had just finished working on a pantomime and I was feeling really low to the point that I was really introverted and self-conscious.

"I sat on a prop and it broke. It was a bed that was meant to roll around. I sat on it and the wheels collapsed.

"I felt huge, knowing I had broken something because of my weight. I went and sat at the side of the stage and just cried.

"In theatre and TV, everyone on stage is so slim because they're in front of the camera and they need to be certain size and look a certain way but being part of the crew, I didn't have any of those pressures.

"It was what made me recognise I needed to something thought and I'd heard good things about Slimming World so I thought, 'what have I got to lose?'"

Becky, who also lives in Street, had already lost around a stone before the country went into lockdown due to the Covid outbreak in March.

But she continued her journey with the help of Slimming World's virtual groups - finding focusing on her weight loss gave her a sense of control during such an uncertain time.

"I didn't have control over anything else and something possessed me to do this and just throw myself into it," said Becky.

"It was the only thing I had control of in a pandemic. The rest is history.

"Before I joined, I felt awful, exhausted, drained and to the point of breaking. Now I feel so much healthier and I no longer feel like 'the chubby one'.

"I like that you never really have to say no to anything, it's just about making healthier choices.

"Without Slimming World I would be having serious health issues, I would be in trouble. I would be going down a very, very slippery slope."

Slimming World's Extra Easy plan involves staying full on 'free foods' which include lean meat, fish, eggs, pasta, potato and vegetables, while balancing controlled amounts of calcium and fibre with a small amount of higher calorie, less filling food and drinks.

Members are also encouraged to become more active during their weight loss journey to help them maintain their target weight once they achieve it.

Becky is just seven pounds from her target weight and regularly enjoys walking, yoga and even hula-hooping.

She said: "I love everything about being a member and I love being in group so much.

"You just can't beat the support, and if someone else hurts, I feel it.

"We all help each other each week and motivate each other with ideas and ways round things. The group is incredibly important and it really is what has helped me get to where I am today."

Consultant Rachel McDermott, who runs the Saturday morning group in Street, said: "I couldn't be prouder of Becky and she thoroughly deserves to be crowned Woman of the Year for her dedication to getting to where she wants to be.

"Her enthusiasm for food optimising knows no bounds and her openness to find solutions around any scenario to guarantee her weight loss is such an inspiration.

"She is a true rock within our group, such a support to the other members and always there to lift others up - immediately spotting when they need a kind word or helpful nudge in the right direction.

"Given the links between Covid-19 and obesity and the impact of lockdown, I know lots of people are worrying about their weight more than ever before, so I really hope Becky's weight loss can inspire people to get started on their own journey and show them that there's a whole group of people waiting to support them every step of the way - and absolutely no judgement."

To find out more, contact Rachel on 07495 854444.