AN inspirational Greenock taxi driver is celebrating a new lease of life as he beats diabetes after losing SEVEN stones.

Robert Hotchkiss has battled with his weight for years and finally found the diet he was looking for thanks to Slimming World.

During the Covid-19 pandemic he started to walk, clocking up to 70k a week and started to feel the positive impact on his health.

Now all his hard work paying off as he is discharged from the diabetes clinic and slims down.

Robert, 60, from Brisbane Street, said: "I just really hope I can inspire others to change their lives.

"I guess with sitting in a taxi, the weight just crept up.

"Eventually I was diagnosed with diabetes."

"I think the final straw was a holiday to Benalmadena - I couldn't move anywhere in the heat.

"I just thought to myself there and then 'enough is enough'."

Seven years ago Robert weighed almost 26 stone.

He was wearing clothes 5x extra large and his bulk was taking a big toll on his health.

The taxi driver was then diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

He joined Slimming World along with his wife Janette, 61, four years ago and together they started to lose the pounds.

When the pandemic hit Robert used the hours he wasn't working to walk an hour a day and then over the summer he stepped it up.

He now tries to get in at least eight kilometres a day and goes for longer walks at the weekend.

In November all Robert's work paid off when he was told he no longer needed to attend the diabetic clinic.

He said: "I was jumping for joy when they told me.

"I just hope I can show folk what you can do.

"You can beat diabetes, it doesn't have to be something you live with for the rest of your life."

The super slimmer continues can now comfortably wear extra large clothes, going from a chest 58-60 to 40-42.

He added: "As well as Slimming World, the walking has helped so much.

"I love getting out and exercising more.

"I have wee dips and I still put weight on sometimes, but I keep going."

Slimming World consultant Michelle Collins says she is so proud of Robert and the journey he has made.

Michelle, who runs her classes from the Greenock West United Reformed Church hall, said: "It has been a tough year with mostly virtual classes but it is all worth it to see the difference it makes to someone like Robert.

"He has worked so hard."