Slimmer Dick Baker from Hockwold has been announced as one of the UK's Greatest Losers at an awards ceremony in London.Dick, who lost just over 15st achieved second place and was recognised with a personalised award and certificate presented by Slimming World's managing director Caryl Richards.

Slimmer Dick Baker from Hockwold has been announced as one of the UK's Greatest Losers at an awards ceremony in London.

Dick, who lost just over 15st achieved second place and was recognised with a personalised award and certificate presented by Slimming World's managing director Caryl Richards.

The awards ceremony took place at the glamourous Kensington Roof Gardens, which has exotic gardens and panoramic views of London at 100ft above street level.

Long-distance trucker Dick spent his life on the road living on huge road café fry-ups, chunky sandwiches, crisps and thick buttered toast which sent his weight soaring to almost 30st.

He said: “I'd been overweight for 30 years. By the time I reached 24st I was having problems breathing, I had angina, my blood pressure was up and when I made a delivery I was having a job just walking from my tanker to the local canteen. My health and mobility have both been transformed since I've lost the weight. The doctor says the angina is gone and my blood pressure is normal. Before I lost the weight I'd sit at home every night eating crisps and doing jigsaws. Now I've become a parish councillor, I walk, and even taken up cycling - and it's 40 years since I last rode a bike.”

Dick attends the Brandon Slimming World group which runs on Tuesdays at 6.30pm at the Brandon Church Institute.