A YOUNG man whose life changed overnight, following a car crash that left him paralysed, is to marry the girl who has stood by him.

Noel Thomas, 20, grew up in Redcar, where he excelled at everything he turned his hand to. He was about to gain his first promotion in the Royal Navy when he was involved in an accident at an east Cleveland blackspot, Pitt Park Corner, between Skelton and Guisborough.

The crash left him with a broken neck and paralysed from the chest down. But Noel has refused to let his disabilities get him down.

His determination has had the support of girlfriend, Amy Thompson, with whom he now lives in a specially-adapted house, in her home town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Yesterday, Noel stunned Amy by asking her to marry him, a week before she turns 18, and to his delight she agreed.

Noel's family, on Teesside, are also delighted with the engagement and with the progress he has made since the accident nine months ago.

His parents, Jeff and Karen, have put an appeal fund together to help raise money to finance Noel's future.

Mr Thomas said: "We were devastated at first, because Noel was a young lad with his whole life ahead. But we are a family who make the best out of things."

Noel said: "The Navy has stuck by me through it all and so has Amy, and if anything, it has brought us closer together."

Noel is returning to education and hopes to get a job working with computers or designing web pages.

Anyone who would like to donate to the fund should call Jeff or Karen on (01642) 503026, or send donations to The Noel Thomas Appeal Fund, Yorkshire Bank, 23,25 Station Road, Redcar, TS10 1AN.