A man who was so overweight he was unable to wear shoes has lost more than 12st, ditching his slippers and even finding himself a job.

At his heaviest Robin Dixon, 38, from Essex, weighed more than 35st and as a result suffered from lymphedema and leg ulcers - meaning his legs and feet swelled up so much he was unable to find shoes to fit, despite being an average size ten.

Confined to a pair of slippers, Robin, was unable to get a job and gorged on a diet of Lucozade, crisps, popcorn and McDonalds. He piled on the weight between 2000 and 2007 when he worked in an office and happened to sit opposite a vending machine.

He said: 'I'd never been stick thin but that was when the real trouble started.

'I'd get bored and the vending machine was right in front of me so I'd just grab a chocolate bar and a packet of crisps here and there to pass the time.

'It was all about convenience food and the damage was done before I realised what I was doing. Following a trial with Bodychef - during which he ate fresh, calorie-counted food hampers - he managed to shed a whopping 12 and a half stone in just 18 months and Robin was finally able to fit into shoes again and line up some job interviews.

He recently bagged himself a job as a discharge facilitator working for the NHS and started his new role just a few weeks ago.

Robin, who still lives with his parents, said: 'My health is still an ongoing issue but at least I'm on the right track now.

'I just couldn't see a way out before. I would try and get out but the only thing that would fit my feet were slippers and people would stare.

'I couldn't exactly go to job interviews in a pair of slippers so I felt stuck.

'Now I have a new pair of trainers and some work shoes.

'I'm really enjoying my job and when finances allow I hope to get my own place and gain even more independence.