THREE years ago Eric Donnelly was bedridden and helpless, relying on his wife to feed and clothe him.

He was stuck at home and day by day his body deteriorated- ravaged by Multiple Sclerosis.

But now with the help of gym staff at Bitterne Leisure Centre in Southampton he has started to walk again after years of being confined to a wheelchair.

Diagnosed at 25 with secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis, he believed what the experts told him when they said there was little that could be done to halt the progress of the disease that attacks the central nervous system.

His loss of eye sight gave the first clue that he had developed MS and over the years it steadily affected his mobility and self esteem.

"I hadn't exactly given up but I just believed there wasn't much point," said Eric, a former painter and decorator from Thornhill.

"I wasn't exactly suicidal but every day was the same.I had been signed off sick for life at the age of 25 - it was like saying I was on the scrap heap."

It was when he tried to swim during a visit to the local pool with his wife Kay, 50, that he decided he had to do something to halt the deterioration in his body.

"I thought I would still be able to swim but I couldn't.

"That's when I decided to go to the gym."

Trainer Kevin Ryves knew Eric presented a major challenge - when he first arrived at the gym he couldn't lift his arms above his head more than a couple of times before he was exhausted.

"That was without any weights.

"However slowly but surely we have been able to progress. At first Eric didn't believe me that he could build muscle because he had been told the MS wouldn't let that happen.

"Because of his condition muscle development is minimal and it's very hard to gain strength; however this simply served to add to Eric's determination and commitment to his training.

"He's seen his upperbody strength grow and that was when we decided to have a go with building up his legs," he said.

They started by getting Eric to stand up from his wheeelchair and then sit back down. Then he started to take a few faltering steps with Kevin's help and finally he walked up and down the corridor outside the gym four times with the training staff cheering him on.

"It was crazy to see him doing it. I walked in front of him in case he fell - it was so inspirational to see him walk especially knowing how he was when he first came to the gym," said Kevin.

Eric, 40, said his life had completely changed since coming to the gym and he was able to look forward now .

"I come four times a week at the moment and when I get home after a workout I feel happy. It's made me want to carry on and make progress.

"I'm not walking at the moment because I had a couple of falls at home and it has affected my confidence.

"But I will contine to work on my legs and I know I will walk again," he said.

Eric advised anyone who is sitting at home watching their life pass by to get down to their nearest gym.

"It's not just about exercise, it's about meeting people and getting out again.

"Since coming here my whole outlook has changed. Before I had an empty head and now I don't have any negative thoughts.

"I believe in myself again - and I would love to have a job like Kevin and the other trainers," he said.