A rugby player who broke his back in a match will say "I do" in a special hospital wedding ceremony next Saturday.

Prop forward Keith Spinks, 43, needed lifesaving surgery after he was injured in January.

He was treated at Leeds General Infirmary before being transferred to a specialist spinal injuries unit at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, three weeks ago where he is undergoing intensive physiotherapy in a battle to walk again.

His fiancee Vicky Wilkinson, pictured with Keith, has made a daily bus journey to visit him in hospital.

Now the couple have obtained a special licence for their wedding to take place in the hospital.

"The hospital have let us use the board room which they're decorating for us," said Mr Spinks, of Alma Street, Queensbury.

Vicky said although Keith was making good progress in his battle to regain the use of his legs they had had to change their wedding plans.

"We were supposed to be getting married at Halifax Register office in May. We didn't think he would be ready by then so we decided to get married in hospital."

After the ceremony the couple will go to the British Oak pub next to the hospital for a celebration drink with his team mates from Boothtown Terriers Rugby League Club in Halifax, who have re-arranged a cup match so they can make it to the reception.

"They've booked a coach to come over. I'm really surprised, it just shows what a good bunch of lads they are," he said.

Mr Spinks played for Queensbury Rugby League Club for a decade before joining the Boothtown club.

He said that once he is fully recovered he is looking forward to going on honeymoon with Vicky, but is keeping the destination a close secret from her.

"She's been like a rock. Every day from when I had the accident she's been there for me," he said.

While he is looking forward to the wedding, Keith also has his sights set on the future and hopes to be walking again by June.

"I'm doing weights at the moment and if everything goes to plan they will try to get me walking by Friday," he said.

"The doctors have told me that I will walk again, I won't be 100 per cent but I will walk again which was great news when I heard that."