A GRANDFATHER has paid tribute to the courage of his grandson, who sustained severe injuries in a car crash just days before his 16th birthday.

Mr Rowland Wood, of Harwood, said that his grandson James Walmsley had shown "immense courage" following the horrific accident last month.

James, of Tottington, suffered a fractured skull, a broken arm and spinal injuries in the crash on Turton Road, Tottington.

The Tottington High School pupil was a front seat passenger in a Ford Escort that crashed through a hedge and overturned.

His three friends escaped from the wrecked vehicle with minor injuries.

James, who is still being treated at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, was today undergoing surgery on his spine.

Mr Wood, 72, said: "James is very courageous. He has endured more pain in these past few weeks than I have ever had to bear.

"He cannot remember anything about the accident."

Mr Wood added that James' family and friends were "keeping their fingers crossed" for him to make a full and speedy recovery.

Sadly James was not well enough to enjoy his birthday but his family did mark the event by taking him a birthday cake in hospital.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.