A FORMER jockey who has battled back from horrific head injuries is to marry the girlfriend who helped nurse him through his recovery.

Scott Taylor and Theresa Lishman will wed on March 3, the second birthday of their son, Geoffrey.

Their wedding will be another milestone in the remarkable recovery of the former National Hunt jockey.

The 31-year-old damaged the core of his brain when he fell from his horse at Perth Racecourse, in Scotland, in August 1999.

He was unconscious for several days and it was weeks before he was able to communicate and regain his speech.

His single-minded determination saw him recover his speech and take his first tentative steps.

Mr Taylor first met his wife-to- be when she became one of his 24-hour carers and romance blossomed.

The 26-year-old said Mr Taylor was continuing to make good progress, adding: "He has actually walked on his own, his balance is coming back and he is gradually improving."

The couple, who live in a purpose-built bungalow in Fishburn, County Durham, had their first child in March 2002.

Mr Taylor popped the question some time ago, but his fiancee revealed it took her a while to agree.

She said: "He's been asking to marry me for a year. I'm not a wedding person, but it just seems right and I accepted about seven months ago.

"It's Geoffrey's birthday soon, so we thought we'd have the wedding on the same day. To be honest, it's been a mad rush getting everything ready."

The couple will be married in the Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield Racecourse.

Among the 100 guests expected at the wedding will be a number of jockeys, including Grand National winner Tony Dobbin.

Former jockey Peter Waggott will be best man.