A STARK warning that he could be dead by next Christmas prompted father-of-two Mark Oldfield to take determined steps to avoid a premature death.

Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure – the factory supervisor from Dudley topped 24 stone at his heaviest in January 2016.

The 50-year-old, who works at Solid Swivel Company Ltd in Cradley Heath, says he had always been overweight but when his doctor told him he was heading for an early grave it was the warning he needed to ditch his unhealthy ways and diet of takeaways, pizza, crisps, fizzy drinks and cider.

He said: “My diet was typical of my lifestyle - no time for anything, takeaways and jar sauces. I did no exercise and I once nearly got stuck in the turnstile at West Bromwich Albion because of my size.

“I was morbidly obese. My doctor told me I was eating myself to an early grave and in December 2015, shortly after I experienced an episode of breathlessness and dizzy spells, his words of ‘enjoy this Christmas – it may be your last’ really hit home.”

The warning came with a referral to a Slimming World class in Netherton on a 12-week programme – which helped him to lose more than nine stone through healthy eating and an exercise plan.

He said: “I think people become ignorant to weight problems, buy baggier clothes to hide it and carry on. It sometimes needs a short, sharp shock to make you wake up and do something about it. “Thank God I listened. I’ve been given a second chance – I’m not throwing it away.”

He now enjoys golf, swimming and he walks everywhere – and instead of turning to takeaways he now cooks from scratch.

His health has also transformed and Mark, of St Andrews Street, said: “Despite being diagnosed with diabetes I’ve been medication free for over 18 months - and my blood pressure tablets are lower than they ever were.

“I feel great and alive for the first time in years.”