MORE than a decade after a vicious attack that left him with brain damage, Tom Bendall is back in his native Forest.

Tom was a teenager when, in 1998, he was assaulted and run over on the A48 and spent six months in a coma.

Since then he has spent time at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, in Oxford, Telford and, most recently, Tewkesbury – but dearly wanted to be back near friends and family in the Forest.

He could not return to the Forest to be near his family in Aylburton because of the lack of specialist facilities.

But now the 34-year-old is the first resident of a new facility at Tutshill near Chepstow for people who have suffered brain injury.

He said: "I am very happy to be back and to be near my family and friends. It is very nice here, I like it very much."

The former rugby player enjoys woodwork and is looking forward to a trip to Chepstow races.

The seven-bedroom Castleford Lodge has been specially converted to allow people with acquired brain injury to live as independently as possible although there are carers with Tom around the clock.

Manager of Castleford Lodge Sylvia Williams said: "There was nowhere in this area for young people with acquired brain injuries.

"There has been a significant investment by Milkwood (the company that operates the unit and nearby care home) and it has been specially adapted for people with acquired brain injury.

"Tom and his family have been through a lot and it has been a hard struggle but it is good that he is now somewhere close to his family and friends.

"He is always cheerful and we all enjoy being with him."