A SHOPWORKER who used to weigh 33 stones has completed the Great North Run half-marathon after his own marathon weight-loss programme.

Craig Moody, from Blackburn, would eat a chippy tea or pizza every day and would drink at least 12 pints on a night out.

The 42-year-old ended up in hospital last April – an incident that encouraged him to change his habits.

Within 12 months, Mr Moody had swapped takeaways and chips for lots of veg, a small healthy breakfast and fruit for snacks, managing to lose a whopping 17 stones.

Setting himself a target to run this year's Great North Run, the super slimmer began working out at home, and on Sunday he crossed the finish line in an impressive three hours and 27 minutes.

Mr Moody, who works at The Range in Blackburn, said: “It was a goal of mine to enter the Great North Run this year, and I’ve been working hard towards it.

“When I was that size it was a struggle to do anything physical, but I’ve been forcing myself and my fitness has come on leaps and bounds.

“I did the race with my sister, Angela, and she was with me every step of the way.

“I wanted to complete it in four hours but did it in three hours and 27 minutes.”

Mr Moody said he was mainly doing brisk walking, but jogged the last few miles.

He added: “The crowds were fantastic and were spurring people on all the way round; they were even giving out jelly babies at the side of the road.

“I saw so many people from all walks of life doing the race, including people with disabilities and it really opened my eyes and made me realise what people can achieve.

“Angela and I went across the finish line together, holding hands. I dedicated the race to my late father, Colin Moody, so it was a very emotional moment for me.”

Despite his magnificent achievement, Mr Moody says he’s not planning any other races quite so soon, although he would like to run the London Marathon in a few years.