TRIBUTES have been paid to a Westhoughton man who has died after collapsing at work — after defying the odds for more than 20 years when he lost his sight in a horrific road accident.

Christopher England was not expected to survive after the incident in 1995, when the wheels of a tractor went over his head close to his home in Bolton Road, Westhoughton.

Christopher, aged 10 at the time, was playing with a group of his friends including his sister Laura, when they spotted another friend driving a tractor.

The friend stopped to talk to Christopher, who was described as "farming mad", and the accident happened when the friend reversed the vehicle.

Mr England, a pupil at St Thomas Primary School at the time, miraculously pulled through after seven and a half hours of major surgery, spending 10 days in intensive care at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

But Mr England died suddenly on April 28 this year when he collapsed at work after his heart stopped.

Doctors told Christopher's parents, Annie and John, that his death was unrelated to the childhood accident.

After his death, Mr and Mrs England asked for donations to be given to the Social Activities for the Visually Impaired (SIVA) group at the Bolton Society for Blind People, which proved to be a vital in his recovery.

They have since given £1,150 in donations to the charity, which allowed Christopher to meet with friends and enjoy trips out for the day, such as shopping or bowling.

Mr England had worked at Greeley's butchers in Horwich for the past eight years, bravely coming to terms with the loss of his sight.

After the accident he spent six months off school and continued to fight to regain his abilities.

He lived an active and social life, returning to school progressing to Westhoughton High.

He later studied woodwork at the Queen Alexandra College, Birmingham, a further education college for blind and partially sighted students, where he met his partner, Claire Henson.

His bravery was highlighted when his story was featured on BBC Children in Need in 1996, showing how the charity Vision Aid had helped him and his family.

He also featured on ITV’s Get Up and Give Charity Event.

His mum Annie, a retired nurse, said: "He worked so hard to try and get back to normal. Everybody said how amazing he was, and how they were amazed at the recovery he made.

"You don't realise the barriers that can be created. His friends at the blind society found it very difficult to find a job, and he got the job at the butchers through a neighbour. He was getting despondent but he was happy when he got a job."

Mrs England added: "We are devastated, people tried to save him using defibrillators, but his heart just stopped. The doctors said it wasn't to do with the accident."

She paid tribute to SIVA, which she said was important in aiding Christopher's recovery.

She added: "People often overlook smaller charities, but they give people a reason to live. People can be suicidal when they join after losing their sight, but it helps give them some purpose."

Christopher's funeral was held in May at St Bartholomew’s Parish Church in Westhoughton.