A cyclist is considering legal action against Sussex University after an accident on a rutted campus path left him in a coma for a month.

John Ward, 46, was in hospital for six months and has been forced to give up his career as a decorator.

He broke his arm and shattered his hip in the accident at the university's Falmer site.

He was thrown over the handlebars after his wheels became caught in a 3in rut.

Mr Ward, from Brighton, claims more should have been done to warn people of the damaged road.

He said: "The last thing I remember was riding along, then feeling myself thrown over the top of the handlebars.

"The accident twisted my arm five times and my hip three times.

"I've got bolts and plates in my hips, holding them together, two bolts and plates in my right hand and a bolt and a plate in my wrist. It has also given me deep-vein thrombosis and arthritis down my right side. I'm still in so much pain every day."

"I still have nightmares, when I get any sleep at all.

"This has ruined my life. With all the injuries I suffered, I was expecting some help somewhere but the university doesn't want to know.

"This has cost me about £16,000 so far, plus I can't work any more. My first solicitors didn't get anywhere so now I've gone to another firm."

Brighton-based solicitors Edmund Harte and Co are considering possible action on Mr Ward's behalf.

A university spokeswoman said: "Immediately after the accident, someone from the university investigated the condition of the road surface and found no defects that could have caused the accident.

"We feel a lot of sympathy for Mr Ward but the university and its insurers have carried out investigations and neither found any evidence we failed in our duty of care to him.

"We and our insurers have repudiated any liability. We are waiting for any further approach from Mr Ward or his solicitors."