A TEENAGER who was paralysed when a rugby tackle went wrong has taken part in his first-ever wheelchair rugby practice.

George Claxton, 16, was playing for Blackburn Under-15s when he committed to a tackle and was flipped over by the momentum of his body crashing into his opponent.

An MRI scan revealed he had dislocated his neck, shattering a spinal disc and twisting his spinal column.

Doctors told him he would be confined to a wheelchair for life.

But despite having minimal movement in his hands, the inspirational St Wilfrid’s CoE High School pupil has not let the accident get him down and even has hopes to compete in the 2016 Paralympics.

He met up with a team in Southport for the training session less than a year after the life-changing incident. The flanker, who lives in Sandringham Close, Blackburn, said: “It was one of the most exciting weekends I’ve had in a long time because I finally joined in on my first wheelchair rugby practice.

“I went to Southport where Westcoast Crash practice and they all made me feel really welcome.

“I got into a rugby wheelchair and it felt great.

“I had so much fun although it was extremely exhausting.

“I absolutely loved it so I can’t wait for my second session.”

George had been preparing to sit his GCSE exams when the accident happened.

Despite months off school, the teen is on track to complete qualifications in English, maths, science and sports BTEC and is also hoping to get into engineering when he leaves.

Blackburn Rugby Club has set up a trust fund to help pay for the alterations needed to his Blackburn home.

For more information about George and charity events for the trust visit.georgeclaxtontrust. com.