SHOP assistant Rachel Rose has dropped four dress sizes in just two months – by cycling to work.

Miss Rose, of Annersley Road, Rose Hill, Oxford, said she felt like a new woman after pedal power helped her lose 35lbs and shed her size 22 clothes for a size 14.

The 25-year-old, who works at the Co-op store in Botley’s Westway Shopping Centre, used to take the bus to work, but now cycles the four-mile trip after taking out a £200 loan from the Mid-Counties Co-op to buy a new bike.

Miss Rose, who has seen her weight plummet from 15 stone to 12st 7lbs, said she was inspired to lose the pounds so she could look good in a bridesmaid’s dress on her aunt’s big day tomorrow.

And her dramatic weight loss has meant she has had to order four new work uniforms in the past eight weeks.

She said: “Every girl dreams that by the time they are in a relationship they will be the perfect size for their wedding day, and I wanted to be perfect for my aunt’s wedding.

“It’s embarrassing to be a big girl at a wedding in a bridesmaid dress, if the bride is a size 10.

“Cycling to work has really changed my life for ever. Now I’m feeling more confident.

“I used to be quite a recluse and I wouldn’t go out and have a good time with my mates.

“But now it is me asking them if they want to go out at the weekend.

“I’m absolutely loving it. I have got a lot more energy and a lot more get up and go.”

The Co-op employee is currently half-way towards her overall goal of reaching 10 stone.

And her partner Ian Taylor is buying her new clothes as a reward.

She said: “I have just walked from my home to the Co-op in Rose Hill.

“Before I lost the weight I wouldn’t be able to do that without being out of breath.

“My partner loves the fact I’ve lost a bit of weight and rewards me by going to get me a new top when I reach a new target.

“It gives me a lot of encouragement and a lot of incentive to carry on. I have now got regular customers coming in and asking me how I’ve lost the weight. They ask if I’ve been to Weight Watchers and I say ‘no, I have just been cycling’.”

The Co-op’s energy and environment officer Mike Pickering said: “We’re delighted to hear Rachel has seen such great results from the cycle to work scheme. It’s a terrific achievement and she should be very proud.

“The scheme was set up two years ago and we have 85 employees taking advantage of the offer.

“As Rachel has demonstrated, there are fantastic health benefits associated with cycling. And with less cars on the road, the ride to work scheme contributes to a greener environment.”