THIS is Daniel Sadler - a true inspiration to all New Year slimmers!

For in just 12 months, this 17-year-old has shed 11-and-a-half stone - almost half of his body weight.

Daniel was 26 stone when he decided to do something about his weight.

So the teenager, who lives in Aberaeron Close, Gibbonsdown, joined Slimming World.

And backed by his supportive family including his uncle Darren Farmer who lost five stone, a sensible weight loss plan, and sheer determination, Daniel has almost reached his target weight of 13 stone.

However, due to his incredible weight loss, Daniel says he has lots of loose skin and is prepared to undergo surgery to rectify this.

"I've tried so hard to get where I am and I think I deserve to be able to look how I want to," said the Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg pupil.

Daniel says that even at his heaviest, he was a keen sportsman.

But now, his slimmer figure means that he is able to race around the badminton court, lift weights at the gym and even train for a marathon.

"I've always been able to go running," he said.

"But my weight meant that I often used to be too embarrassed to be seen running.

"Now I do exercise about five or six times a week, burning off about 400 calories a day."

Daniel said his typical daily food intake consists of two Weetabix for breakfast, a snack of an apple at about 11am, pasta for lunch, a snack of either an apple or low fat crisps at about 2pm, salad and fish for dinner and more fruit in the evening.

Dan has recently qualified as a badminton coach and is going to train to be a lifeguard at Barry Leisure Centre in the summer.