With the Paralympics still fresh in the nation’s memory, a Keighley “blade runner” will tell his inspirational story to students at Airedale Hospital.

Philip Sheridan, 48, of Worth Village, lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident ten years ago. But he defied the odds and thanks to several operations and a prosthetic “blade,” similar to the one used by gold medalist Johnny Peacock, is a common sight running in his home town.

He said he feels “privileged” to have such a life-changing prosthetic, and so always has time for questions from curious members of the public.

On November 6 he will discuss his recovery at a free talk at the hospital, demonstrate how the blade works and answer questions from budding sports scientists.

Although he has a regular prosthetic leg for day-to-day life, he uses his Flex Run blade for running, and sees it as a piece of technology rather than a crutch.

After his accident in 2002, Airedale Hospital played an important part of Mr Sheridan’s physiotherapy, and the talk will detail challenges he faced recovering from a life-changing injury.

He said: “The process of learning to walk again is a question I get asked time and time again. The Paralympics has really put the image of blade running into the public imagination.”

The talk’s organisers say it will be ideal for anyone looking to start a career in sports science or physiotherapy.

There are still spaces available for the talk, from 10.30am to 11.30am, at the hospital’s lecture theatre. To book, call (01535) 294540 or email members@anhst.nhs.uk