RUBERY slimmer Rob Diggory is less half the man he was - and says that losing a whopping 17st 5lb has saved his life.

Mr Diggory, aged 59 and just 5ft 4in tall, used to weight 28st 11lb and he is convinced he was eating and drinking himself into an early grave.

Little more than two years later he is down to 11st 6lb, thanks to support from the Rubery Slimming World group run by Paula Hooper on Mondays at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm at the Royal British Legion.

At his heaviest Mr Diggory's health was so bad he struggled to look after himself and, at his lowest point, he ended up in hospital for eight weeks.

Now he is celebrating turning his life around, dropping 20in from his waist, which now measures 34in.

He first began to have a weight problem after losing his job, with the breakdown of his marriage following in quick succession.

“My eating and drinking became completely out of control and I ballooned in size," he said.

"It reached a point where I found it difficult to do even basic tasks, like cleaning the house or shopping, and ultimately I couldn’t look after myself. I was in a very dark place.”

It all reached breaking point when Rob ran out of money and spent more than a week home alone without food, heating or electricity.

A neighbour alerted the emergency services and he was treated in hospital for two months before being able to return home.

His GP advised him to join his local Slimming World group to lose three stone so that he could be eligible for weight-loss surgery.

Mr Diggory said: “I was miserable and willing to do anything to lose weight.

"Whenever I went out, people would stand and stare or laugh at me behind my back, so I was very worried about walking into the group.

"I was concerned it would be full of women, too.

"Straightaway there was a really friendly atmosphere though, and there were quite a few men as well. Now I look forward to going to the group each week, it’s great how we all help each other.”

As well as following the club’s "Food Optimising" eating plan, Mr Diggory slowly increased his activity levels.

He said: “I started walking everywhere and nowadays I do at least a mile a day – and I love it."

Mr Diggory was so happy with the changes he was making and how much weight he was losing that he decided to continue his journey with Slimming World instead of opting for surgery.

While his waist has shrunk, Mr Diggory's confidence has grown and he is hoping to start volunteering in a local charity shop soon.

“I feel ‘normal’ again," he said.

"When I think back to just a couple of years ago, I can’t believe that I’m here and I’m 17-and-a-half stone lighter. Slimming World has saved my life.”

Mr Diggory came third at the "Greatest Loser 2015" awards in London recently.