A DISABLED golfer who lost his leg after being hit by a train is taking part in a golf championship after a decade of 'perseverance and determination'.

David Coles has been playing golf for nearly 10 years following the loss of his leg in 2008 while he was working on the railway in Oxford.

And now the 66-year-old from Haydon Wick has been selected to take part in the English Disability Open, a 36-hole competition open to amateur golfers with disabilities.

“I am pleased to be going there,” said David. “It’s very difficult and a lot of people want to get in as well.

“I want to share this achievement as an example of what can be reached with perseverance and determination, regardless of what challenges life throws at you.”

David lost his leg while on duty as a maintenance worker.

He said: "We moved to Oxford after 15 years in Swindon because they were desperate for staff at the time.

“We had work in between trains. And one day I got smashed by the train. I was conscious but I did not know I was going to lose my leg.

“I was in intensive care for a few weeks and during that time they’ve taken my leg off, but I didn’t realise it. It was a bit of a shock because I’ve always done sport, running and played football for the railway.”

In a bid to stay active for his grandchildren, he went to the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy pool in Jefferies Avenue and started swimming.

He said: “I wanted to keep fit for my grandaughters, I want to be active for them.”

And as part of his rehabilitation he decided to start playing golf in 2010 at Broome Manor Golf Club.

He said: “I decided I wanted to do something else, so I went to Broome Manor Golf Club and started playing golf. I’ve been playing up there ever since. The community at the club has had a positive impact on my progress. I’m the only one with a leg missing.”

David puts an artificial leg to play. He said: “I try to go there twice a week if I can, when my leg allows me because I do get pain.

“I played a bit of golf on the railways and we had meetings occasionally about four times a year and I did enjoy.”

The competition takes place on September 7 and 8 in Colchester.