A DISABLED man is on the road to independence after beating the odds.

Mark Devlin has passed his driving test, 28 months after undergoing a heart transplant and being warned he might not even walk again.

The 23-year-old, from Billingham, was determined to make a full recovery and to realise his dream of passing his test and having his own car, despite suffering from Becker muscular dystrophy.

"In the past, I've always had to rely on my dad to drive me around, but not for much longer. I can't wait to get out on the roads and be more independent - it's a great feeling," said Mr Devlin, one of three brothers, all of whom have the genetic, degenerative disease.

Motability specialist Jill Wilson, handed the keys of a new Ford Fusion to Mr Devlin at Jennings Ford's Yarm Road branch in Stockton.

She said: "It was wonderful news to hear that Mark had made a full recovery. When I heard he had passed his test I was thrilled to bits. I'm absolutely over the moon for him. He's a lovely lad.''

Motability is a national UK charity set up by the Government in 1977, which has put 400,000 people in the driving seat of their own car.