A RESTAURANT worker lost an incredible eight stone in eight months – and has now set his sights on becoming a professional wrestler.

Paul Sumner was just one pound shy of 23 stone at the end of May last year but, thanks to a new exercise regime, slimmed down to just 14 stone and 6 pounds.

The 30-year-old, who grew up in Daubhill and went to Canon Slade School, has put up with years of cruel jibes and insensitive comments about his size.

But he says that while name-calling never bothered him, he was motivated to shed his weight after seeing an unflattering picture of himself on a friend’s Facebook page.

Mr Sumner, who works at Nando’s, in Horwich, said: “I didn’t like my picture. I went on to Faceboook and my mate had posted a picture that inspired me to do it.

“I feel really happy, dead chuffed, definitely. I do feel proud of what I’ve achieved.”

“I did it for me, not anybody else. I couldn’t care less if people call me names, it doesn’t bother me. I just feel dead proud I lost all that weight in that space of time.”

And it was the support of a good friend that helped Mr Sumner achieve his amazing weight loss success.

He said: “I used to walk from the train station in Bolton to Darwen with my mate Craig Newport.

“It took me three hours to start with, but I got it down to two-and-a-half. We’d go straight up Blackburn Road from the train station two or three times a week.

“And, while doing that, I was going to Power Zone gym in Darwen four or five times a week.”

And he stresses that he couldn’t have done it without the help of Mr Newport.

He said: “Craig came all the time, he came to the gym with me and was my motivator

“Every time I was lazy he would say ‘you are doing it now’.

“We would have a ‘cheat day’ on a Sunday, but we had to do really well in the week. If I got lazy he would say we weren’t having it. If it were not for him I don’t think I would’ve been able to do it.”

Wrestling fan Mr Sumner also made important changes to his diet – including one particular weakness - as he successfully shed the pounds.

He said: “I was really bad with fizzy pop. I have cut out fizzy pop, I just drink cordial now – or water.”

And having proven to himself he has the willpower and resolve to lose weight he now wants to get involved in his favourite sport – wrestling.

“My ambition is to be a professional wrestler in the WWE that I have watched for the last 20 years,” said Mr Sumner.

“I have been to Manchester, Sheffield. I want to get in shape first and then I can get into it – I need to build my arms up and my chest.

“I will have to start right at the bottom and work my way all the way up. I have got a few links with people who do it.”

And he dreams of emulating his heroes such as UK stars Magnus and The British Bulldog.

He said: “That keeps me motivated to keep going as well – and I love swimming and playing tennis.

“When I was at school I was rubbish at football so my motivation is to get better at other sports.”