A GRANDDAD who had his leg amputated hours after getting cramp has spoken about his journey to recovery.

Dave Billington, from Runcorn, woke up on a Sunday morning in February 2014 with what he thought was cramp in his right leg.

Five hours later, he was having the limb amputated above the knee after being rushed to Warrington Hospital.

The 72-year-old, from Weston Point, said: “Three days beforehand, I was playing football with the grandkids.

“I was out on the Saturday night having a drink and a dance and on the Sunday morning I just thought I had cramp.

“Then the colour drained out of me so we sent for the doctor.

“That afternoon I had the operation done, and it saved my life.”

Dave spent months in Warrington Hospital after the amputation - which was caused by an aneurysm.

A further seven aneurysms were found throughout his body and Dave had to undergo further operations - including one to save his left leg.

He is now able to walk with the aid of a stick following extensive sessions with the hospital’s physiotherapy team.

Dave added: “Your life just completely changes, but you’ve got to get through it for your family.

“At one point, I didn’t want to know anybody but you’ve got to be willing to put the effort in because if you don’t you’ll be sat in a wheelchair for the rest of your life.

“The first time I walked again, I broke down and cried.

“It still brings a tear to my eye now when I think about it.

“Everybody complains about the NHS but I can’t be thankful enough – the things they did for me were unbelievable.

“I felt like royalty, and how far I’ve come is all down to them.”