A mum-of-three who suffers from a rare genetic disease leaving her able to walk only short distances on crutches has won a silver medal in a paralympic-style contest.

Sandra Kenworthy, 41, first discovered she had Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease in 1996, seven months into her third pregnancy.

VHL causes types of tumours or cysts called hemangioblastomas which can lead to heart attacks, cardiovascular disease, strokes and cause blindness.

Sandra, of Abbeydale Way, Accrington, underwent an unsuccessful operation on her spinal cord at Salford’s Hope Hospital in 2008 but returned two years later when the operation was a success.

The operation left her bed-bound for eight weeks before she moved to Southport Spinal Unit for three months of rehabilitation.

After being left unable to walk Sandra had to learn how to use a wheelchair and walk with a frame before being able to get back on crutches.

She said: "I had the disease from birth and didn’t know I had it until I was seven months pregnant.

"That’s when I had my left adrenal gland removed."

When Sandra’s physiotherapy ended in March last year, she was invited to take part in the spinal unit games at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury.

The contest took place between April 12 and 14 and where Sandra took part in shooting, bowling and archery.

"It was an honour to take part and I was delighted to come second and win the silver medal.

"It was a real eye-opening experience," she said.

Sandra still visits Accrington Victoria Hospital each week for physiotherapy and hopes her condition will improve in the next few years.

The genetic disease has also been detected in her 17-year-old daughter Bethany but hasn’t affected her health yet.

The pair currently have regular check-ups and scans and visit a consultant together.

Sharon’s eldest daughter Danielle, 19, has been given the all clear.