A man who lost 13 stone has launched a fundraising campaign so his excess skin can be surgically removed.

Manpreet Singh, 25, is desperate to rid himself of the excess skin he now has due to his impressive weight loss campaign and needs to raise at least £9,000.

He was compelled to do so after his application to have the body contour surgery through the NHS was declined because doctors deemed the excess skin did not cause a severe enough impairment on his everyday life.

This is despite Manpreet, of Water Street in Springwood, saying the skin has given him depression, anxiety and contributed to an eating disorder.

“The £9,000 will only fund skin removal on my stomach,” said Manpreet, a health care assistant.

“Private doctors have estimated the total cost being over £20,000.

“But the skin removal is so important to me.

“Although I’ve lost a lot of weight I still feel very self conscious and down which affects me being able to socialise and has led to me putting off my plans and ambitions.”

Super slimmer from Huddersfield Manpreet Singh

Manpreet ballooned to 28 stone 10lbs by his early 20s, making him morbidly obese.

It was the result of a life of unhealthy eating.

He admitted: “I used to eat everything, especially takeaways, which I had three times a week and I ate too much chocolate, sweets and crisps too.

“I could still get around but got very out of breath going up stairs and sweated everywhere I went.

“I became a 60ins chest size and 55ins waist which made me very self conscious.

“But I didn’t know what to do because I’d tried dieting before and failed.

“But one day I just decided enough was enough because I was worried about my health.”

He embarked on what was to be a four and a half year weight loss journey.

“I was much more determined that time around”, said Manpreet.

“I made myself cut down on portion sizes and started swapping unhealthy food for more fruit and vegetables.

“I also started going to the gym up to five times a week.

“But during this time I developed eating disorders. I would starve myself some days then binge eat on others.

Manpreet Singh of Springwood who has lost 13 stone and is now fundraising for an operation to remove excess skin.

“It’s been a real struggle for me.”

But his hard work paid off, leaving him with a new battle on his hands which he copes with through writing on his Wordpress blog, Manpreet’s Musings.

He said: “I feel as self conscious because of the skin, as well as depressed and anxious because the excess skin makes it look like I haven’t lost weight.

“I don’t feel like I can socialise and would love to get rid of it.

“I applied twice through my doctor for the NHS surgery but have been refused.

“It would make a world of difference to me if I could have the surgery.”

To donate to Manpreet’s cause, go to www.gofundme.com/manpreetsingh

His blog can be found at www.manpreetsmusings.wordpress.com