When Noel proposed in July 2013 Leisa had to telephone bridal shops in advance to check if they catered for plus size brides

Noel said: 'When the wedding album arrived I flicked through the pictures of our big day and my heart sank. We both looked enormous. I knew Leisa would hate them too so I tore the photos into shreds'

The couple didn't even book a honeymoon because they feared they'd have to book two seats each on the plane. But their biggest disappointment was yet to come.

Noel said: 'When the wedding album arrived I flicked through the pictures of our big day and my heart sank. We both looked enormous. I knew Leisa would hate them too so I tore the photos into shreds and threw them in the bin.

'Leisa kept asking why they hadn't arrived yet and I'd just make up excuses because I didn't want her to see them. But eventually I had to come clean and tell her the truth.'

The pictures spurred Leisa to finally take action and she joined a local Slimming World group.

Two weeks after Leisa attended her first weight loss class Noel signed up too. It wasn't long before the small changes started to make a big difference to their waistlines.

Leisa said: 'Our big clothes were just hanging off us. As the weight started dropping off we had to keep buying new wardrobes. Our figures have changed so much.'

Now Noel has shed a whopping 16 stone and Leisa eight.

Leisa said: 'We both feel amazing. I get joy from the little things like running after the kids and not liming myself to plus size clothes. I've got so much more freedom.

'Noel looks so much younger too. He's like a new man. He used to be all squishy when I lay on him but now he's much more toned.

'Part of me wishes we'd waited till after we'd lost the weight to get married. But we met each other when we were big and we've been there with each other through thick and thin and that's what counts.'

Noel added: 'What we'd love to do now that we've lost the weight is renew our vows. Leisa could have the dress she always wanted.

'We've lost so much weight our wedding rings don't fit us anymore so we'd have to sort that out too but finally we could have some pictures to be proud of.'