A FORMER taxi driver has praised a running club for helping him lose more than five stone and feel 'better than ever'.

Ian Goodliffe, has dropped down from 17stone 2lbs to 12stone 2lbs after he took up running.

The 67-year-old, who now runs half marathons with the Blackburn Road Runners, collapsed after his heart stopped beating during a warm down in March 2015.

Mr Goodliffe recovered and started running again the following year.

He now runs regularly with the club and has completed more than 10 competitive runs this year, his latest was a half marathon last weekend.

Speaking at Witton Country Park during a Blackburn Road Runner open taster session, Mr Goodliffe said: "This club is fantastic, I love coming down here and running with everyone.

"I now feel better than ever.

"I have made lots of new friends and run with lots of different people from all backgrounds."

The club, which has more than 200 members, aged 18 to 75, meet regularly at the Tower Road car park in Witton Country Park on Wednesdays and runners are split into groups depending on ability.

David Craig, 50, had weighed 20 stone before he joined and has lost three stone through running with the club.

He said: "I enjoy running and running with this group is great.

"I can go at my own pace and I have made massive progress.

"I enjoy being together with everyone and enjoy taking part."

Harry Catherall, chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, who has been with the club for nine months, said: "Blackburn Road Runners is a wonderful club and ran by a great committee.

"It has a great social life as well as a great way to keep fit and healthy.

"I have only been here for nine months and I have been made to feel so welcome."

Sue Wolstenholme, chairwoman of the club, said: "Ian and others are a great example of what you can achieve when you work hard.

"We have a fantastic group of people here and anyone who is interested in joining is asked to get in touch."

For more information visit www.blackburnroadrunners.net.