SILSDEN slimmers took to the saddle as part of celebrations in the town for the Tour de Yorkshire.

Members of the Weight Watchers group rode an exercise bike for charity during a Tour-day party at Silsden Youth and Community Centre.

Their efforts came as another Keighley-area Weight Watchers leader celebrated the weight loss success of an award-winning member.

Caroline Settle, the Weight Watchers coach in Silsden, peddled with members of her Wednesday evening group at the community centre, both on tour day and during the run-up to the event.

The dieters, along with other Silsden people, raised money for the Alzheimer’s Society by using an exercise bike to complete the equivalent of the Tour de Yorkshire’s stages one, two and three.

Caroline said: “The members have been very active.”

Caroline joined Weight Watchers herself a year ago, and said the meetings were about more than just weight loss.

She said: “I wanted to be healthier, feel more confident and lose weight. I've lost 42lbs and the biggest difference that's made to me is I now have more energy and I have a zest for life.”

One of Caroline’s members, Jo Gill, a teaching assistant at Aire View Infant School in Silsden, has lost more than 20lb and 12 inches since meetings began in January this year.

Denise Walker, from Long Lee, who ran several Weight Watchers classes around the district, this week revealed exactly how much one of her members had lost while winning a regional award for her efforts.

The Keighley News recently reported how district nurse Hayley Cunningham had been named Inspirational Member of the Year by Weight Watchers.

She improved her own health by losing more than seven stone and became a role model for members of Denise’s nine groups..

Denise said: “Hayley has now achieved her goal weight just in time for her holiday. She is now eight stone 3lb lighter, in two years.

“I am so proud of her achievement. She brought her old jeans to the meeting that she wore when she joined. It truly was a magic moment.

"Her jeans are not ‘whatever fits’ but skinny jeans now, and she looks and feels amazing. It’s so motivational for others wanting to lose weight.”

Hayley began her weight-loss crusade while halfway through intense treatments for a rare medical condition.

She battled a desire to eat even more than usual, which was brought on by the high dose of steroids she received every four weeks.

Hayley’s husband supported her diet and exercise efforts and went on to join a gym himself.