Belper’s Matt St. Lawrence is 42 pounds lighter, but £100 richer after winning a Derbyshire-wide search for a ‘healthy hero’.

Matt impressed judges with his story of how he took up swimming, got fit and lost three stone in weight. Having never enjoyed sport and instead taking comfort in food, drink and cigarettes, Matt had been a 37-year-old 18-stone couch potato, always feeling tired, with back ache and a permanent cough, and a test for diabetes showed that he was well on the way to being in serious trouble.

But after buying a cheap swimming costume on a whim Matt began going swimming during his lunch break, and over the past 18 months has gradually improved his fitness, swimming more often and further each time.

Matt is pictured receiving his vouchers

To read Matt's story in full read on.....

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