A GUITARIST struck down by a rare illness which left him paralysed from the neck down will rejoin his band as lead vocalist for his musical comeback later this month.

Philip Graham will return to the stage with folk rock band Man with The Stick on Friday, March 13 - 18 months after the professional musician and photographer was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

The debilitating illness affects the nervous system and left Mr Graham, from New Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, paralysed from the neck down, resulting in a ten-month stay at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

Confined to a wheelchair, the former postman and trade unionist, was discharged last August, days before his son’s wedding.

Since then, he has undergone extensive physiotherapy and is now able to walk again using crutches, leading him to joke that the band should change its name to Man with Two Sticks.

Mr Graham, a former councillor with Wear Valley District Council and Durham County Council, will swap the guitar for vocals at the comeback gig, an Irish night at Park Head Country Hotel in New Coundon.

He said: “I have played guitar, mandolin and Irish bouzouki all my adult life but I have been left with limited feelings in my hands so playing instruments is out of the question for now.”

The 61-year-old said that listening to music had helped during his recovery and he also praised his wife Janet, family and friends and hospital staff for their support.

Describing the first few weeks of the illness as “terrifying,” he said: “I remember reaching down to pick up my camera and thinking it felt a bit heavy.

“I initially dismissed it but within a week I was paralysed from the neck down. No-one knew what it was as it’s such a rare condition.

“I had a lot of tests for things like multiple sclerosis but they all came back negative. I was then told James Cook was interested in me as they suspected it could be Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

“To be honest, I was very frightened. I was scared I would never get better but, as soon as I got the diagnosis and found out how they were going to deal with it, I felt more positive.

“I knew I was in safe hands.”

The event, a pre-celebration of St Patrick's Day, takes place on Friday, March 13, with Irish food being served at 7:30pm followed by live music from 8.15pm. Tyneside duo Acoustica will also perform.

Tickets cost £7:50 and can be reserved by calling the Park Head Country Hotel on 01388-661727.