A POSTMAN who broke his back after being attacked by a rampaging cow is back at home for Christmas and today told how he is looking forward to the future after spending more than four months in hospital.

In July, Alistair Johnson, 42, of Whalley, was crossing a field on a public footpath through Lawsonsteads Farm, Brookes Lane, Whalley, to deliver letters to nearby houses, when the cow attacked him.

The cow, which was protecting its new-born calf, was destroyed. Alistair, who was working for the Royal Mail depot at Chester Avenue, Clitheroe, was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with spinal and facial injuries. He was later transferred by helicopter to the spinal injuries unit at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

Four and a half months later, he is pleased to be back at home with his mother Barbara, 68, and is looking forward to a quiet Christmas.

He said: "The trouble is I never knew that cows that had just calved could attack. I was taking a short cut through the field, and the farmer is quite used to postmen using that route. The cow charged at me from such a close distance that I couldn't avoid it. It hit me in the face and stomach and I fell backwards from the force, which is how I broke my back. "Metal work has been placed in the base of my spine to fix my back, but there has been no improvement to my spinal cord at all, so it is not looking like I'll be able to walk. It's more of a million to one chance. Most people regain feeling and movement within a couple of weeks but this hasn't happened to me."

But Alistair's positive attitude has helped him to recover, and he was back at home weeks before hospital staff had expected.

He added: "I'm the sort of person who always bounces back, and I'm trying to get my life back to what it was. When I first went into hospital I spent nine weeks lying on my back. I went through every emotion going, but I had time to think things out. I'm a positive sort of person and I don't let it get to me too much."

Alistair celebrated his 42nd birthday on August 13 at the spinal injuries unit, and he will be going back there for check ups in three months time.

He said: "The staff at the hospital were brilliant. I feel I couldn't have been in a better place in better hands. I had 180 get well cards, and many thanks to everyone who sent them, it was nice to know so many people were thinking of me at the time.

"The best thing is at least I'm back for Christmas. It's just good to be home, and it will be nice to have a quiet Christmas after all that's happened."

And Alistair can look forward to the new Millennium, knowing he will be getting a specially adapted car in January with hand controls which will boost his independence.

He said: "I'm eventually hoping to return to work part-time. Royal Mail have been very good to me, and I would be able to work in the sorting office although I will need specially adapted equipment. "I hope to be able to get back to doing as much as I can, and I hope I can find some interesting hobbies that would suit me. I intend to join a gym, as I found it very beneficial when I was in hospital, and I'd also like to do some swimming.

Alistair is a big fan of 70s band Mott The Hoople, and many fellow fans sent him tapes to listen to in hospital.

His dogs Casper, a mongrel, and Lady, a cairn cross Norfolk terrier, are also a big part of his life, and he has been a keen member of the Ribble Dog Agility Club in Leyland since 1993.

His mother Barbara is delighted to have Alistair back home. She said: "He is doing very well and coping very well in his wheelchair.

"His determination to get on with things inspired a 10-year-old boy called Andrew who was also in the hospital to start doing as much as he could for himself.

"We're looking forward to Christmas and New Year, and my older son Philip will be visiting us for Christmas with his wife Carol and their five-year-old son Adam."

Alistair has worked as a postman for 20 years. He is a former pupil of Whalley CE Primary School and Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.

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