EDWARD Blaney's life was turned upside down when he suffered a stroke seven years ago.

The 65-year-old, from Upper Church Street, Spennymoor, County Durham, was paralysed down his left side and virtually house-bound.

Now he has found a new lease of life - thanks to the Royal British Legion, which has funded a scooter to help him get out and about.

Mr Blaney, who lives with his 62-year-old wife Helen, said the machine has given him back his independence.

He said: "I would not be able to go out without it. I can only walk about 20 yards. My arm and leg are paralysed."

Mr Blaney has a wheelchair but his wife is no longer able to take him out in it.

She said: "I have got arthritis in my knees and I was finding it very hard to push it."

Mr Blaney served in the Royal Army Service Corps as a staff car driver in Berlin, from 1953 to 1956. He has been a member of the Spennymoor branch of the Royal British Legion since then, and is a former concert chairman.

Since he got the scooter, he has started attending his local day centre once a week and can get to and from the venue himself.