A MIDDLEWICH man who lost both legs in a horror crash is learning to walk again on his new prosthetic, having been set a challenge by his best friend.

James Harrold was riding his motorbike aged 18 in February 2012 when he was involved in a head-on crash with a police car in Booth Lane.

The former Middlewich High School pupil spent three months in hospital, including two stints in intensive care, and had both legs amputated.

Now, four years on, he has successfully fundraised to purchase his own prosthetic right leg and is undertaking physiotherapy sessions to learn to stand and walk with the aid of crutches or a zimmer frame.

Next September James will be best man at the wedding of childhood friend Nathan Griffiths, who has set him a tough challenge.

James said: “When he first asked his girlfriend to marry him, he sent me a long message saying, ‘right Jim, you are going to be my best man and I want you to make a commitment’.

“He wants me to carry on with the physio and stand next to him in the church, as well as during my best man speech.

“The physio is going extremely well – they are really happy. They have been right since the start and they are now trying to make it as difficult as they can, in a good way.”

James’ mum Lorraine Neal added: “Nathan loves James to bits, and has supported him so much. He was always there.”

Since the accident, James has had to battle stress and phantom limb pain, as well as a lengthy court case against the police which the family eventually lost.

After returning to work as a customer service advisor with The Hut Group, his phantom limb pain meant he had to leave and is currently unemployed.

Through generous donations from a charitable trust, James is now living in a Middlewich bungalow, complete with a wheelchair-friendly open layout and wet-room.

He lives with a friend, and both play pool for the Golden Lion.