A man who had his leg amputated following a motorbike accident has won a national award for his entrepreneurial spirit.

Tony Weakford, 37, from Eastbourne, took up leatherwork as occupational therapy following the accident in 1991.

He turned his hobby into a business after his local JobCentre put him in touch with the Eastbourne and District Enterprise Agency.

The group provided him with a business mentor, Jane Bwye, who suggested he enter the Trading Places Awards scheme.

Tony agreed and won a silver medal in the Government-backed scheme at a prize-giving ceremony in London.

Tony, who owns and manages The Leather Design Studio at Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum in Halland, near Heathfield, said: "Jane could see much farther than me and gave me the guidance and clarity I needed to make the business work."