COURAGEOUS teenager Kevin Hargreaves has spoken of the day he had to make a decision between losing his leg or spending a year undergoing painful operations to try to save it.

Kevin, 14, was in Manchester's Withington Hospital for just under two months after an accident on May 7.

Doctors battled to save his right leg after it was crushed when masonry fell on him in a derelict coaching house close to his home in Haslingden.

But after a series of long operations Kevin was told the grim news.

"My grandad said the consultant had given me the option of spending another year in theatre or having the leg off, " he said.

"I was just speechless."

Kevin, a keen sportsman, opted to have his leg amputated and he lost the limb from just under the knee.

He said: "Even after I made the decision I was still hoping they would be able to save it.

"I remember waking up after the operation and both my legs felt numb.

"My mum was standing beside me and I asked her had they done it and she said yes."

Before the accident Kevin lived with his mum Janette, sister Debbie, 16, and brother Robert, 13, in Mayfield Avenue, Haslingden, but he now lives with his aunt Mary and uncle Jim Hargreaves in Nuttall Street, Accrington. The home is specially adapted with a lift, stairclimber and hand rails, as Jim is disabled. Jim has explained to his nephew how people may treat him and Mary said the pair were always trying to take a light hearted view of the situation.

Kevin said: "Uncle Jim calls me names and prepares me what it's going to be like. He even calls me Forest Stump!"

Mary added: "Kevin does have his low days, which is understandable, but we try to reassure him.

"Being with Jim is helping Kevin to live with what has happened."

Kevin has been told when he gets an artificial leg fitted it may not put a stop to his sporting activities.

But for the time being he has turned his attention to his first love - drawing cartoons.

While in hospital cartoonists Tony Husband, who draws for TV series Round The Bend, and Peter Hadocks, who created Jimbo and the Family Ness, paid him a visit.

Kevin is also keen on computer games and is saving to buy a play station.

He is still undergoing physiotherapy and nurses visit daily to change his dressings but is hoping to go back to Haslingden High School soon.

He added: "My leg still a bit sore, but I'm beginning to come to terms with what's happened.

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