JAMES Evans says he will be eternally grateful to the hospital team who "put him back together again."

And now he is showing his gratitude every week by working as a volunteer on the wards.

Former steel worker Mr Evans suffered horrific injuries when he fell 65 feet from scaffolding.

He was given just 48-hours to live when he plunged to the ground in the accident 10 years ago.

But the 38-year-old has made an amazing recovery and now works as a WRVS volunteer at the Royal Bolton Hospital three times per week despite now living near Southport.

Mr Evans, who lived in Harwood until moving to live with his new partner earlier this year, was given the option of helping out at a hospital nearer home, but he is determined to work at the hospital, claiming: "the doctors put me back together".

Following the accident in 1992, he was treated at hospitals in Blackburn and Salford, but the majority of his recovery was carried out at the Royal Bolton Hospital where he was operated on by the well known orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Tony Banks.

Mr Evans, who had been working as a foreman on a building site in Accrington at the time of the accident, was in a wheelchair for months.

But Dr Banks helped him to walk again by amputating two of his toes which had been left twisted after the accident.

Mr Evans also shattered both of his legs and had metal plates inserted in his thigh, seven pins put in his lower legs, his left arm was paralysed and he suffered serious head injuries.

He will never be able to work full time again, but loves his time helping out at the hospital where he delivers newspapers to the patients.

"Being told I could never work again when I was 27 was tough.

"I love coming to the hospital as it's so fulfilling to help others and see a smile on the face of the patients.

"The doctors here changed my life by helping me to walk again and I'll never forget that" he said.

A spokesman from the Royal Bolton Hospital said: "We appreciate all the volunteers who help out at the hospital, but James has made an extraordinary personal contribution which is very much valued."

Anyone who would like to become a WRVS volunteer should call the hospital on 01204 390390.