A games teacher who had a foot amputated after a freak rugby accident has returned to the classroom

And 18 months after the horrendous accident that led to the amputation of his left foot, he has spoken of his dream of playing rugby again.

John Hughes, a resident housemaster at Barnard Castle School, in County Durham, went down awkwardly after being tackled during a rugby match at Horden, near Hartlepool last Spring.

"As I went over I felt it break," recalls Mr Hughes, who was 28 when the injury occurred and is now 30.

He was taken to the University Hospital of Hartlepool, where he was told that it was a severe break.

"I had broken my tibia, fibula and ankle, as well as dislocating it as well," says Mr Hughes.

A week after metal pins and plates were inserted he was discharged.

While he knew he had suffered a serious injury, leaving him on crutches, he had no idea of what was in store for him.

"About nine days after the break, I was seen at Darlington Memorial Hospital as an outpatient. Unfortunately, my foot was horribly infected and I was admitted for a couple of weeks," he added.

The infection left a large hole in his lower leg, just above the ankle.

Doctors transferred him to a specialist unit at Middlesbrough General Hospital, where plastic surgeons tried to repair the damage by taking skin from his right thigh and grafting it on to his left ankle.

"They did a really good job and I gradually started walking again, although I couldn't get a shoe on to my left foot," said Mr Hughes, who is housemaster for 87 teenage boarders.

Last September, the infection returned and became steadily more painful and disabling.

Despite further outpatient treatment it was decided he should see a specialist at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

"My ankle had fused and I had no movement in my foot. When I saw the specialist in January they suggested that the best thing might be to amputate it. They told me to go away and think about it."

Putting off the decision until his brother was married at the end of March, John decided to go through with it.

Last month, surgeons carried out the operation in a bid to prevent further infection.

Mr Hughes said the past 18 months had been difficult, but praised the support he has received from the school's staff and pupils.

"The school has been tremendous. I feel very loyal because of the way they have treated me," he said.

While he has been in a wheelchair since the operation, this has not stopped him teaching again and even coaching the under-14s rugby team from the sidelines.

"The kids have been great. I've been able to ring them on my mobile and get them to help me with my shopping or making a cup of tea," he said.

Doctors have told him he could be walking unaided within a few months, and able to run and play sports within 18 months.

Next week he is due to receive a prosthetic foot, when he will start using crutches .

"I am looking forward to going running again and it would be nice to just play one more game of rugby," he said.