A KEIGHLEY slimming class leader who takes her members on moorland hikes has been given a special accolade.

Weight Watchers coach Denise Walker has been given a Diamond Coach award by bosses for her efforts helping hundreds of dieters.

Weight Watchers area manager Debbie Ford surprised Denise by dropping into one of her classes this month to make the presentation.

Denise has been a Weight Watchers coach for the past 15 years after losing three stone herself during sessions, and now runs eight classes in Keighley and surrounding areas.

Denise, from Long Lee, said: “Debbie surprised me in the meeting last week. I was over the moon, I didn’t know anything about it.”

Weight Watchers gives the award to coaches who have provided exceptional support to members during their ‘weight loss journey’.

The award is granted out only once every two years to a select group of class leaders across the country.

Denise was originally a country singer performing in pubs and clubs, but gave up after her son was born because she did not want to travel so much.

She said: “I joined Weight Watchers to lose my baby weight I lost three stone then started running local classes part-time.”

Denise, who is now a Weight Watchers coach full-time, said coaches had to have been members of groups themselves before leading sessions.

She said: “It means we can have more empathy and understanding. We’re all there doing it together.

“It’s more of a vocation than a job. I love supporting people and transforming their lives. It’s not just about food, it’s about the social aspects.”

Members of Denise’s various classes come together for social activities including walks.

One of Denise’s Keighley members, Linda Lewis, this week said: “We are all very proud and lucky to have Denise as our coach.

“She makes the meetings fun and entertaining and is always full of encouragement particularly if the scales don't say what we'd like them to.

“We go walking together come rain wind sleet and snow. We’ve climbed hills, crossed moors, walked canal sides, hunted for fungi, and had a thoroughly good natter and exercised at the same time.

“With this encouragement, something else I never ever thought I’d do was the Manorlands 10k, let alone enjoy doing it.”

Denise runs day and evening sessions in central Keighley, as well as classes in Riddlesden, Bingley, Wrose, and that Nessfield Primary School in Keighley.