A YOUNG Nelson woman who suffered a broken neck in a road accident just over a month ago enjoyed some much-missed home comforts during a trial period out of hospital.

Clare Clark, 21, was hit by a car in Leeds Road close to Nelson town centre on December 15 and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital.

After an operation to replace the bone in her neck with one from her hip, Clare was transferred to Burnley General Hospital and during the last week has been in the hospital's rehabilitation centre.

This weekend she spent some time at her parents' house in Brentwood Road before doctors decide whether she can return home permanently.

Clare said: "I'm doing all right and I'm just waiting to get this neck collar off now. I'm coming home again on Friday but I don't know if I will have to go back in again after that.

"Hopefully that will be it then. It's been okay during the last two weeks and this weekend they wanted to make sure I could cook meals and make brews to see if I'm ready to come home for good."

Clare went back in to hospital yesterday for more physiotherapy.

The former Walton High School pupil amazed her parents and doctors with her determination and, despite being taken to Royal Preston Hospital in a very serious condition, was sitting up in bed and feeding herself just a week later.

Her mum Carol said: "She's done very well with the physio and she is walking very well. The people at the hospital said she might come home for good on Friday.

"Her neck collar comes off in three weeks and everyone says she's done absolutely brilliantly. I keep thinking I hope people believe what I've been telling them when they see her because she's looking so well. I can't thank enough the people at both hospitals and neighbours and friends who have helped us."