A woman who lost both legs to meningitis is planning a running comeback in New York.

Clare Forbes, 22, from Broadfield, Crawley, cannot take part in tomorrow's London Marathon because of a problem in one leg.

She had her legs amputated in 2001 and was in a coma for six months after developing meningitis but she battled back and competed in both London and New York last year.

Clare, who was nominated for an Argus Achievement Award last year, has bone growing through where part of her leg was amputated, a problem she suffered during the 2005 New York Marathon.

She is due to have an operation, which her stepfather Eiffie Verboot described as fairly simple, this summer, and is hoping to compete in the 2006 New York Marathon in November.

Eiffie said: "We are aiming to compete in the New York Marathon this year.

"Hopefully Clare's operation will be sooner rather than later but she has been told not to walk long distances."

Clare is also planning a parachute jump on June 11 at Netherhaven, Wiltshire, with the Army parachute team to raise money for the Douglas Bader Foundation for people with disabilities.