A remarkable display of courage and determination has helped Danny Robbins complete a sensational turnaround.

A keen sportsman who regularly turned out for Garsington Football Club, Robbins's life was changed completely when he contracted an infection in 2003.

After visiting hospital, the Kidlington man was told that he needed a double leg amputation.

But 2 years later, and after taking up the sport just nine months ago, Robbins won the 2006 National Wheelchair Tennis Championships.

"I love sport so much and thought that side of my life might be over," he admitted.

"Although it might be a clich, wheelchair tennis has brought so much to my life in such a short space of time."

After deciding he wanted to try to get involved in sport again, Robbins visited the White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre in Abingdon last year and met Richard Latkowski, an experienced player on the domestic wheelchair tennis circuit, who invited Robbins to train with him.

The practice reaped rewards, as Robbins subsequently attended an NEC Wheelchair tennis camp at the City of Nottingham Tennis Centre, organised by the British Tennis Foundation in March, and then the National Championships.

"After meeting Richard and being invited to play with him each week, I took to it very quickly," Robbins said.

"My former football teammates and friends at North Oxford Golf Club have been very supportive.

"A fundraiser at the golf club raised the money to buy my tennis chair, so to win something at my first National Championships means a lot.

"I would like to thank my football and golf friends, as well as Richard," added Robbins.

With the National Wheelchair Championships offering opportunities for players with a range of experience, Robbins's first taste of major competition came in the mixed sex novice division singles at the Oxstalls Tennis Centre, Gloucester.

He began with an 8-0 win over Lincolnshire's Cate Wight and, with all matches played to a pro set format, then won his semi-final against Northamptonshire's Dermot Bailey 8-1 and book his place in the final.

Robbins then came up against Clare Strange, a member of the GB wheelchair basketball squad, who was in her first championships.

Despite having less experience in a wheelchair, Robbins once again produced a polished performance to emerge the champion by an 8-2 margin.

Robbins's next tournament is likely to be the Nottingham Indoor Championship in November, part of the global NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour.