A wheelchair athlete who was injured in a collision with a car is preparing to take part in a charity relay as he continues his rehabilitation.

Anthony Gotts, 29, pictured of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers,  was tipped on to his side after being sandwiched with a car and the kerb in Haslingden last April.

He feared he could miss next year’s Commonwealth Games after the crash in Haslingden, in which he suffered cuts to his face and arm, dislocated his shoulder and collarbone and severely damaged his wheelchair.

But Anthony’s gruelling training regime is now back on track, and later this month he will take part in a 60-mile race from Manchester to Blackpool to raise money for friend and fellow athlete Kirsty Grange.

The duo will make up one half of a four-strong relay team so Kirsty can buy her own £3,000 racing chair.

Anthony will get the challenge underway with the opening 30km leg at 6.30am on Sunday, July 14.

Anthony said: “Each chair is different and you never find a second hand one to fit you properly, they can cause injuries because you either have to squeeze into a small chair or really stretch to push a bigger chair – just a centimetre either side of the ideal can make a huge difference.”

Anthony is currently receiving mentoring from Jenny Archer, coach to Paralympic champion David Weir and is ranked third in the UK for 5,000m.

He will be supported in the relay by Clayton-le-Moors Harriers on cycle escorts. To support the team visit the Twitter page @push2blackpool or search North West Wheelchair Racers - Manchester to Blackpool 105Km Push on Facebook.