A STROKE survivor from Poole has clocked up 3,000 miles in less than two years on a mobility scooter, his only form of transport.

Andi Peach, 40, was working for UK Mail when he suffered a major stroke five years ago, which left him with limited movement on the right side of his body.

“Having a stroke was scary and such a shock. I have been able to get my life back on track and owning such a fantastic scooter in the last two years has played a crucial part in my rehabilitation,” he said “My scooter has given me the opportunity to explore so much of our beautiful Dorset countryside and not be housebound. I like to visit Poole Quay and Upton Country Park.

“Most of the time I don’t plan where I am going to drive, I just go. I often complete more than 26 miles a day, ending up at my daughter’s house in Boscombe. When the weather is good, I can travel around 100 miles plus a week.”

Andi, who lives with his wife Claire and their two sons, said that he could not believe he had already passed the 3,000 mile mark on his TGA Vita scooter. “The most important change is the ability to complete daily tasks such as shopping,” he said.

“I have a special mobility scooter trailer that is in constant use – from going to the shops to helping my wife collect her Avon books. My scooter is my car. Without it I would be lost.”

Andi’s scooter is the same model owned by Steve Tarrant, the motorsport marshal from Poole left disabled after being hit by a racing car at Goodwood 13 years ago.

Next year Steve is aiming to smash the mobility scooter world record for the fastest time from John O’Groats to Land’s End.