FUND-RAISERS today revealed they were well on their way to raising £10,000 to look after a teenager recovering from a coma.

Andrew McMinn, 19, of Blake Gardens, Great Harwood, was a passenger in a car which crashed into a stone wall in Clayton-le-Moors in February.

He was transferred to Highbank rehabilitation unit, Bury, after eight weeks in Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn and is now out of his coma.

His girlfriend Adele Bolton says he is making good progress.

Treatment at the centre costs £2,000 a week and the first 12 weeks are being funded by the NHS but his family and friends began fundraising to continue treatment.

Adele, 18, of Butts Mount, Great Harwood, said: "He is responding well but not speaking yet and the nurses have said he is making progress.

"We are looking for the NHS to pay for more treatment at Highbank, in which case the fund will be spent on aftercare when he returns home."

Adele, a trainee hairdresser, said there was no way of knowing how quickly Andrew, who worked as a slaughterman at the Slinger Group, meat supply company in Great Harwood, would be able to walk or talk.

She said: "It is going to take time and effort and the money raised will be a huge help, especially if he is in a wheelchair as adjustments will have be made to the house and other equipment bought."

So far, £6,700 has been banked and organisers are waiting for sponsorship money from swims, hair dyes, leg waxes and a tractor pull.

Another event will be held on Monday at Blackburn College between 2pm and 6pm when volunteers will have their heads shaved.