Ref. 71714-67Michael McCann is determined to walk unaided down the aisle when he marries his fiance next year.

After suffering severe head injuries in the accident he is learning to walk and talk again.

Four weeks after the smash he took his first steps and can now walk short distances with help.

Shortly after coming round from sedation, Michael took his survival as a sign and promptly asked partner Diana Tearall to marry him using a children's Megasketch toy.

The couple, who have two young children, plan to tie the knot at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Tovey Road, on August 20, 2005.

"My main aim is to get better and marry Diana," said Mr McCann.

"I proposed because I thought 'I'm alive, let's do things right from now.'

"I was a bit tearful when she said yes and we're very excited about it.

"We thought it would be a good idea to wait for a year to give me chance to recover."

Mr McCann said that Diana and his two children had given him the strength to live.

His fiance kept a bedside vigil during his weeks in intensive care and visits him in hospital everyday.

"If I had not had Diana and the children I would have cracked up and had a mental breakdown by now," he said.

"I don't think I could have done what she has done.

"I couldn't cope with seeing someone on a ventilator and wondering what was going to happen. She is fantastic."

Friends have also rallied round by babysitting the two children and a fundraising evening will be held at The Manor pub, Cheney Manor Road, on September 2 to help pay for a family holiday.

Michael is hoping to leave hospital for good in the next couple of months but he has already made two home visits and attended a family barbecue last weekend.