With the Paralympics still fresh in the nation’s memory, a Keighley “blade runner” will tell his inspirational story to students at Airedale Hospital.

Philip Sheridan, 48, of Worth Village, lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident ten years ago. But he defied the odds and thanks to several operations and a prosthetic “blade,” similar to the one used by gold medalist Johnny Peacock, is a common sight running in his hometown.

He said he feels “privileged” to have such a life-changing prosthetic, and so always has time for questions from curious member of the public.

On November 6 he will discuss his recovery at a free talk at the hospital, demonstrate how the blade works and answer questions from budding sports scientists.

Although he has a regular prosthetic leg for day-to-day life, he uses his Flex Run blade for running, and sees it as a piece of technology rather than a crutch.

Mr Sheridan’s 2002 accident involved his motorcycle sliding under the wheels of a lorry, smashing the bones in the right side of his body.

Airedale Hospital was an important part of his physiotherapy, and the talk will detail challenges he faced recovering from a life-changing injury. Mr Sheridan said: “The process of learning to walk again is a question I get asked time and time again. People see me and say ‘wow, that’s amazing.’ The Paralympics has really put the image of blade running into the public imagination.

“I feel very privileged to have this prosthetic, so I go out of my way to talk to people when they show an interest in it.”

The talk’s organisers say it will be ideal for anyone looking to start a career in sports science or physiotherapy. There are still spaces available for the talk, which runs from 10.30am to 11.30am at the hospital’s lecture theatre. To book, call (01535) 294540 or e-mail members@anhst.nhs.uk.