Courageous Matt King has graduated from university with a first class honours degree in law – despite being paralysed from the neck down.

Matt, 22, of Church Street in Langford, graduated from the University of Hertfordshire on Friday at a ceremony held at the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Albans.

He has now started a legal practice course and has already been offered a contract with a London solicitor who specialises in personal injury cases and, in particular, spinal injuries.

He said: "It's going to be great to try and help other people. I just try to get on with life, there's no reason I couldn't do a law degree as well as I could before the accident.

"Before my accident I wanted to join the RAF but afterwards I had to re-evaluate my goals and think about what careers I could do as effectively as before my accident. In law, you just have to use your brain."

Matt added: "I made some great friends and got to take part in all the normal university type things. I've really enjoyed my time doing my degree, but now I really want to start practicing."

Matt was injured in 2004 while taking part in his first professional rugby game.

But he refused to let his disability get in the way – and in 2008 he chaired one of the School of Law's public lectures, where Alistair Burt MP was the guest speaker.

For the full story see the November 27 edition of the Biggleswade Chronicle.