Clark, formerly a lifeguard and a contender to compete at the London 2012 Olympics, dived into a wave while swimming at Sandbanks Beach in Dorset last July and hit his head on a rock.

The impact completely shattered his C5 vertebra and fractured C6 and C7.

It was not until six days after the accident that surgeons at Southampton Hospital could take bone from his hip to rebuild his spine.

Doctors feared the worst but Clark has made fantastic progress with his rehabilitation at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Injuries Unit in Salisbury, regaining sense and some voluntary movement in his lower body.

He will now be competing in swimming at the Inter Spinal Unit Games next month while also trying his luck at other Paralympic sports with his eyes squarely focused on London 2012.

"Even before the accident I really enjoyed all different kinds of sport," he said.

"But I've been told I've got a bit of a talent for table tennis so I'm going to give that a go."

Clark has also moved into his own two-bedroom flat in Poole and admits he is delighted with the progress he is making

"It's amazing," he said. "Now I've got a bit more independence and am enjoying learning to do things for myself."

Clark swims three times a week at the Dolphin swimming pool and is in the gym twice a week. And thanks to fundraising from his family and friends, he will soon be able to get about in his new custom-designed wheelchair.

Clark's mother Pauline said: "We've got a lot of people to thank, particularly Poole Council.

"Now we're looking for someone to sponsor Ben. Ideally he needs a personal trainer."

The Inter Spinal Unit Games is at Stoke Mandeville from April 12-14.

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