A PARALYMPIAN from Southampton will recount his experiences of overcoming the loss of his legs when he speaks to leading barristers this month.

Wheelchair rugby star Aaron Phipps was 17 when he was placed on a life support machine after he contracted bacterial meningitis.

After spending two weeks in hospital Aaron, right, woke to find he had lost both his lower legs and the tips of his fingers.

He ended up spending a year in hospital.

Since his horrific ordeal, the 31-year-old has refused to look back and has gone on to carry the Olympic Torch and competed in the London 2012 Olympics.

Now a spokesman for Meningitis Research Foundation, he will be sharing his story with treatment and care providers, as well as personal injury and clinical negligence specialists at the Amputation Training Day.

The event in Bristol on Thursday is hosted by Clarke Willmott LLP and Meningitis Research Foundation and aims to raise awareness of the principal issues that face amputees and solicitors pursuing claims on their behalf.