A man left paralysed after a stroke two years ago has qualified as a fitness instructor.

Lee Cartwright, 41, from Nazeing, collapsed as he got out of bed in 2011, leaving him with no movement on his left side and suffering from depression.

After extensive physiotherapy, Lee learned to walk again and regained some movement in his arm. 

He has now completed a course run by InstructAbility, a programme specifically aimed at training disabled people to become fitness instructors, and works at Waltham Abbey swimming pool in Roundhills. 

Mr Cartwright said: “I have experienced how beneficial exercise has been to me and my continued rehabilitation and without it I would not have.the movement in my hand that I now have. 

"The programme has given me a fantastic opportunity to help support other disabled people the same way

I was supported at the beginning and it has spurred me to want to progress my learning so I can specialise in stroke rehabilitation which has become my passion.”