A CAR accident at the age of seven was a life-changing event in the life of Steve Swansborough.

He was paralysed from the shoulders down after being knocked down in Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, in 1983.

Now aged 23, he is the chairman of Wyre Forest PHAB (Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied) which is a social network of about 30 members.

Talking from his Callow Hill home where he lives with his parents, Steve said the club was now looking for more members to boost the numbers.

The group, which is open to anyone over 16, meets fortnightly on Mondays at St George's Social Club, Radford Avenue, Kidderminster.

Events include talks, quizzes, games nights and occasional outings.

Steve himself is a keen chess player and a computer whiz.

Among dozens of fund-raising efforts for Steve when he was still being treated in Oswestry hospital - where he stayed for almost two years - was a computer and accessories from the Carpet Weavers' Union and a Stourbridge firm, BSR.

It was the start of an interest which led him on to taking a national diploma in information technology which he studied at Halesowen College.

Steve was a pupil at St George's First School when the accident happened.

At Oswestry Orthopaedic Hospital, Shropshire, he said, he used to tell doctors and nurses he had had an argument with a car.

But he maintains he was the winner in the unequal battle!

He was moved to Kidderminster General Hospital after intensive treatment at Oswestry and attended Wribbenhall Middle and Bewdley High schools.

Other fund-raising went towards a ventilator machine which he needs to help him breathe and other equipment.

He urged other people to get involved in PHAB.

The national organisation, which counts Lord Snowdon, Rolf Harris and Sir Cliff Richard as its patron, president and vice-president respectively, has a network of 350 junior, youth and adult clubs throughout England.

It aims to integrate disabled and able-bodied people by meeting on equal terms irrespective of disabilities.

Anyone who would like more information on PHAB should call Steve on 01299 266832.