The leader of Wolverhampton City Council was looking forward to his annual summer holiday – but little did he realise a recent calamity was going to put pay to his plans.

Councillor Roger Lawrence was all geared up for a fortnightly holiday in Sri Lanka when he tripped over some steps at home and damaged his legs so badly he needed an operation. 

The tendons above both knees ripped off the bone, putting him in a wheelchair while he recovers and forcing him to swap his much-awaited break in the sun for good old Black Country drizzle. “I was rolling on the floor in absolute agony,” he said. “An ambulance was called and I went to New Cross Hospital and had to have an operation on both quadriceps. 

“It’s been a very humbling experience and I’m amazed at how tight doors are. Even things like lifts are tough – I can’t even fit in one at the Civic Centre because my wheelchair is like a tank. 

“I know I was trying to reduce my carbon footprint but I didn’t think it would be this way.” Councillor Lawrence is three weeks into a six-week stint in his wheelchair.