People who need to lose a bit of weight can get vouchers for 12 weeks’ of slimming club membership.

Wandsworth residents can sign up for a course with Weight Watchers or Slimming World via the council’s public health team.

You must have a certain BMI and live or work in Wandsworth, or attend a Wandsworth GP.

Barbara Maguire has lost almost five stone after being referred by the council’s weight management team to her local slimming club in Battersea.

She said: “I have been overweight for the majority of my lifetime and at the age of 52 I was the heaviest I had ever been. I struggled to walk any distance, even just the short walk to the bus stop in the morning to get to work would leave me breathless and with painful knees and joints.

“I had resigned myself to the fact that this is how it would be for the rest of my life. To be honest, the 12 weeks free voucher is what appealed to me - I thought, what if I give it a go, see what it’s like and if after 12 weeks I’m not happy or see no results, then at least it hasn’t cost me anything.

“The first day I walked through the doors of my local Slimming World group I was pretty nervous, but everybody seemed friendly and happy. Members shared recipes they had tried, gave advice and support to other members, and it was all very encouraging. Now know I will never, ever go back to the weight I was before. And it’s all thanks to Slimming World and Wandsworth Council’s referral system. “

The council’s director of public health, Houda Al-Sharifi, said: “Obesity can cause serious problems, including heart disease, strokes, cancer, mobility issues and diabetes, so keeping your weight down is an important step in maintaining good health.”

To find out more call the Wandsworth Weight Management team on 0208 871 5017 or email health@wandsworth.gov.uk.