A BEBINGTON man who lost eight stone in less than a year is hoping to inspire others to do the same.

Michael Davenport, 45, began his weight-loss journey in April after a chance encounter in a pub, with a man who had lost six and a half stone over two years.

The production operator was inspired by his story and plucked up the courage to start Slimming World three weeks later.

During this time, he also began walking a mile every day.

Three years ago, Michael lost his son Matthew and confesses he began comfort eating to cope with his loss.

Wirral Globe:

Michael before the weight loss

Michael told the Globe: "I never knew my starting weight, I knew I was over 20 stone.

"I couldn't think of anything worse knowing what I weighed and I think that's been a big part in my weight loss.

"I've always struggled with my weight since I was 11.

"When my son died three years ago I just started comfort eating to cope.

"I was a big lad before this so it was like the icing on the cake putting this extra weight on for me.

"The chance meeting in the pub changed my life.

"A man told me he had lost six and a half stone in two years.

"If I hadn't been at that pub and for that encounter I wouldn't be telling my story today.

"I told my friends and they said, why don't you try that.

"It took a few weeks for me to show my face at Slimming World. I decided when I joined I would walk one mile every day.

"When the weather went bad in the summer, I had no option but to go to Invigor8 at the Oval.

"I had a membership there to swim before I began to lose weight so I decided to go the gym and use the treadmill.

"The last thing I could've seen me do was go the gym again. But I’m addicted now.”

Michael now eats stir fry’s and makes healthy versions of his favourite take-away classics from scratch.

He has also swapped beer for vodka and says that chewing gum when full helps to keep the weight off.

Wirral Globe:

Michael now after losing eight stone in under a year

He added: "I was so scared of buying my first pair of smart pants so I was forced into knowing, I wasn't ecstatic but I was quite happy.

"I'm a size 36 inch waist, I can't even remember the last time I was that size. When I was 15 I was a size 38 inch.

“I used to binge eat and never cared what I put in my body. I also smoked a few years ago.

“My big advice would be that you have got to want it to really lose the weight.

“The women in the front desk at the Oval are made up and are always commenting.

“My workmates are getting used to the new me.

“I’m going to continue to go to Slimming World and be fitter than ever.”