Question for those in the UK...

I am currently reading a book, by a British author and I am confused about clothing sizes. The book is called "Jemima J" by Jane Green. The book is focused on Jemima's extraordianry weight loss (its a very good book).

Here's the question, are women's clothing sizes different in the UK than they are in the US? By the end of the book, she is 5'6" down to less than 120 lbs, but is only wearing a size 8. In the US, that would be a 6 or less. Just curious.

US sizes run much smaller than UK ones as I found out when I moved here, grabbed a top without trying it on in my size and it practically fell off me - then my mum visited looked at my clothes and told me I carry weight well

and 8 is the smallest 'regular' size in the UK

These little differences are so interesting!

Actually 6 is the smallest UK size and some shops are even making a 4 nnow to cope with the skinny posh-spice inspired women.

when i read this about the size 4 and 6 it really makes me puke!

What a shame the woman didn't diet to a lovely size 14 (12 us) now thats a nice shape which in books is so often the gasp! fat person.
I am reading a book now and a 12 (10 us) is called big.
For gods sake!