A WOMAN whose car smashed into a bollard, leaving her with suspected brain damage, has been discharged from hospital.

Ann Marney, 44, of James Street, Great Harwood, suffered head and internal injuries when her converted Reliant Robin trike hit an unlit bollard last month.

After being taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary she was transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital, where she spent time in intensive care.

She was released on Tuesday and will continue to receive physiotherapy and will have support from a home help.

Today, she spoke of the frustration of having to depend on people.

"This isn't me. I hate having to rely on someone else. It's not me to put on other people, I have never done it and to have to do it now hurts," she said.

"The serious part to all this is is my head. The injuries I have got to my head are making me dizzy all the time. If I get up to do anything I just go dizzy."

Mrs Marney will also have to wear glasses as a result of the accident. "It's horrible. I will get used to it, it just takes time," she said.

The mother-of-four, a keen bike fan, was allowed out of hospital in a wheelchair on Sunday to visit a bike show.

"That was good. I got to meet all my friends. They were all there waiting to meet me."

Mark Neal, Mrs Marney's brother, said : "She's doing great. They said she would be better getting used to her own environment. She's a lot happier with it."

It was revealed earlier this month that the bollard Mrs Marney's car hit should have been repaired hours before the crash, but council workers found a problem with the electricity feed from the street lights and couldn't do the repair.