A MAN has claimed that a pilgrimage organised by an East Lancashire woman has cured his crippling back complaint.

John Garbutt, 31, suffered a crushed vertebrae in a freak accident with a horse three years ago. He developed osteoarthritis and had to wear a neck brace and walk with a stick.

But he claims his back has returned to normal following a visit to the House of Prayer holy site in Achill, Ireland.

The pilgrimage was organised by Theresa Nolan, 59, of Green Howarth View, Oswaldtwistle, who is convinced the improvement in John's condition is the work of God.

Mrs Nolan, a director of a nursing home, attends St Mary's Church, Oswaldtwistle and has been organising pilgrimages to Achill since 1993.

Mr Garbutt, of Hartlepool, who went on the trip with his wife, Naomi, said: "I said I would go to Ireland with them to try the Guinness."

But during a Mass he felt compelled to go to the altar despite suffering intense pain. Afterwards he met Christine Gallagher, a visionary who set up the House of Prayer. She knelt in front of him, put her hands on his knees and said a prayer.

John said: "I was in such pain that I was not aware of what was happening."

He returned to his lodgings where he started to use an electrical impulse machine which relieved his pain.

He said: "I felt this feeling that seemed to enter my body from my head. It seemed to run though to my shoulders and down my arms. As it went down, all the numbness I felt went.

"It went into my feet. My skin had been white and scaly because of the circulation problem, but I took my sock off and the flaking skin came off with it. Under it the foot was appearing pink."

John returned to the House of Prayer where those who had seen him in such pain earlier were amazed to see him healthy.

When he returned home he visited his doctor and a scan showed that his back had returned to normal and there was no evidence of arthritis.

He added: "They cannot explain it. They say it is not medically possible.

"I feel light as a feather now and so many years younger."

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