BRAVE teenager Tracy Ashworth has spoken from her hospital bed to tell of her determination to walk again in time for her 18th birthday.

Tracy was struck by a car and dragged underneath in an accident on Accrington Road, Burnley, nearly three weeks ago.

Her home is now a hospital bed in the specialist spinal injuries unit in Southport where she is surrounded by more than 100 cards and flowers from well-wishers.

She has to lie flat and still and can only watch television by looking up at the reflection in a mirror.

Tracy, described by her parents Graham and Christine as "lively, bubbly and the life and soul of a party", said: "I am not coping with it well. I am fed up.

"I can move all of my body now and feeling has returned but they still cannot say whether I will walk again. I have to keep my head still so the broken bone in my neck can repair, but they say because I am young the bone should repair itself.

"Doctors say I am a very lucky girl and I have done so well in such a short period of time. "They are fitting me with a 'halo' which fastens round my head and will keep my neck still and will allow me to sit up and that will be on for three months.

"After that they will X-ray my neck to see if the bone has repaired, but if it is still broken they will operate.

"I can remember everything about the accident. I saw the car and turned and ran back towards the pavement, but I didn't get there in time.

"The driver has been to see me and he brought me roses. He is very sorry for what happened. He is only 19 himself."

Tracy was on her lunch hour from her work in the butcher's department at Kwik Save on Accrington Road. She had only worked there for a month and is looking forward to going back.

Her parents are at her bedside and at weekends are given a break by friends who stay. Tracy's brother and sister Lynsey, 18, and Gareth, 16, are still at home in Elmwood Street.

Tracy received hope from another Burnley woman who was injured in a similar accident. She sent her a card and told how she was walking again after 20 months.

Tracy said: "There hasn't been a day when I haven't cried, but I am determined to walk again by my 18th birthday next April."

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