BATTLING for her own life after being caught in an IRA bomb has left Blackburn woman Sue Hanisch with a lust for life.

The devastating experience, in which she nearly died, left her with severe leg injuries, which resulted in her losing the lower part of her leg.

It took her three years to recover enough to go back to work as an occupational therapist at Queen's Park Hospital in Blackburn.

But seven years on, and registered disabled, she overcame physical and emotional hurdles to learn to fly, thanks to a charity which funds flying lessons for the disabled in America.

Now, the achievement has had such an impact on her life, she speaks at prestigious events across the country on the work of the Flying Scholarship for the Disabled and raises funds to encourage more people to try what she has done.

That work has just helped to earn her the title of Midlands Woman of the Year for Courage, after she was nominated by her sister, Michele Gerard.

It is a decade since Sue was caught up in the blast at Victoria Station, in which she watched, helpless, as the man next to her died from his injuries.

"He didn't make it and died on the spot," she said. "I knew it could have just as easily been me and it really made me think."

Although it was hard learning to cope with life with her injuries, the experience made her take a second look at her life and what was important to her. "Flying was something that I had always wanted to do. It gives you an interest, builds your self esteem and gives you your confidence back."

She was able to learn to fly in California in a gruelling eight-week course organised by the charity.

She has met with Prince Michael of Kent and Lord and Lady Tebbit, herself the victim of an IRA bomb in Brighton, who has since become a good friend.

Sue, who lived in Mellor until recently, and attended Clitheroe Grammar School supported friend and fellow fundraiser Polly Vacher, who has just completed a record breaking one woman flight around the world, raising £160,000 for the charity.

Polly was named Midlands Woman of the Year at the awards in the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, while Sue was named Woman of Courage, after working closely with her. She said: "It was a complete surprise to me."