A FORMER leisure centre boss says being made redundant has opened up a whole galaxy of opportunities.

Dale Connearn says he is now his own boss and helping people with weight management and health and fitness - a move which kick-started his own weight loss after piling on the pounds.

For Dale, who managed Bacup Leisure Centre for two years before learning he was being made redundant in June, has now started his own business - Weight4Fit.

And he is using products from the sponsor of David Beckham's team Los Angeles Galaxy - Herbalife.

Dale, who is 42 and lives in Dale Street, Bacup, stumbled on his idea for new venture Weight4Fit, on the internet, while researching weight maintenance products.

He came across the products of Herbalife and now supplies them as well as designing programmes of use.

Dale said: "I now help people who are overweight and want to get back into shape just like me.

"Now I've got my old energy back, I'm doing the London Marathon next year and I'm even thinking about doing the London Triathlon as well.

"Being made redundant is the greatest thing that ever happened to me.

"I always wanted to work for myself and this has given me the spur I needed."