A Woodingdean man who weighed 21-and-a-half stone was shocked into slimming after seeing a holiday snap where he “looked like a pea in a pod”.

Single Andy Payne, of Woodingdean, knew it was time to shed the pounds after being horrified by a picture of himself on a family holiday to Rome around eight years ago.

The early deaths of his father, David, 55, and grandfather, Albert – known as Ed – in his 50s, also prompted him to lose weight.

Now he tips the scales at 13-and-a-half stone and he is a personal trainer helping others to lose weight.

Mr Payne, who is set to turn 33 later this week, revealed how at his biggest he had to buy specially-imported jeans with a 48inch waist from North America.

He said: “I come from a family of big people. My father died of a heart attack aged 55. His father also died of a heart attack.

“I started my journey to lose weigh eight or so years ago. We went on a holiday to Rome as a family.

“I was wearing a light coloured tee-shirt. I looked like a pea in a pod – I was out of proportion.”

Mr Payne, who is 5ft 11ins tall, told how he had previously always held gym memberships, believing the fee would force him into losing weight, but never actually stepped foot in the sports centre.

“I paid the membership but did nothing,” he admitted.

“I was aware of the limitations of being big – I would buy clothes at High and Mighty – a specialist shop – and jeans from America. Now people don’t recognise me.

“I was very passionate about food and I wanted to be a chef. It was a constant feeding of hunger.

“Now I have a love of good clean food. I love good quality vegetables and clean meat.

“I know it sounds extreme but I would rather die than be fat again.”