A leader of Weight Watchers sessions in Otley and Ilkley won a chance to cook alongside a BBC MasterChef winner, in recognition of her inspiring role.

Alison Wakefield, 41, of Leeds, was named one of the UK’s most Inspirational Weight Watchers Leaders at an event in London.

The event, which was hosted by MasterChef 2012 winner and Weight Watchers food ambassador, Shelina Permalloo, celebrated the success of ten of the UK’s inspirational Weight Watchers Leaders and members and showcased some of the ways that we can all enjoy filling, healthy food while watching our weight.

Mrs Wakefield was treated to a cookery demonstration by Shelina Permalloo and was challenged to cook one of the TV chef and author’s recipes before sitting down to taste her efforts, as well as other dishes created by the Master Chef winner, over lunch.

Mrs Wakefield, 41, became a Weight Watchers Leader in July 2007 and now runs eight meetings per week across Ilkley and Otley.

She was named as one of the most inspirational Weight Watchers Leaders after helping residents in Leeds to lose over 858 stone in the past year alone – the equivalent of almost 72 people weighing 12 stone each.