A MAN who became obese through gorging himself on cake and chocolate is to represent Great Britain after a life-changing weight loss.

Terry Brown, of Tollgate Road, ballooned to 14 stone after years of devouring bakery samples and snacking on the go as a lorry driver, but after being told he was officially obese by doctors he decided something had to be done.

Gaining a qualification as a fitness instructor at the age of 62 was not enough for Terry, and he soon set his sights on competing in duathlon competitions.

He said: “I always joked when people mentioned about my weight but when I got the news I was thinking about the future - it was a bit of a shock.”

Within months Terry had been given a bike by his son Nathan, 39, and had competed in cycling competitions across the country.

“It was nerve-racking but I felt so much better in myself and the bug bit,” Terry added.

“Before this I couldn’t walk into the city centre without stopping to take a break.”

But it was not until the 65-year-old was told about the Salisbury Parkrun that he even thought about competing in duathlons.

After competing in parkruns Terry decided to combine the two and soon took to the tracks.

“I entered a duathlon in Birmingham which I saw advertised and was a qualifier for the GB age team.

“I thought if nothing else we will have some fun. Much to my surprise and delight, though, I achieved the qualifying time.”

The father-of-one, who has now dropped from a 40” waist to a 32” waist, beat off dozens of other competitors to be named on the GB squad.

Terry will now be competing in the 65-69 age group category in the European Duathlon Championship in Ibiza in October.

The former RAF driver will be supported by his wife Susan, 68, but he is now looking for sponsorship to help his dream come true.

“It is an enormous honour and I am extremely proud to be representing my country.”