A COUPLE involved in a serious car crash had a pleasant surprise for staff when they returned to the hospital where one of them was treated.

Val Oates received life changing injuries in the smash on the A38 near Wellington, while he husband, Paul, suffered minor bruising.

While Mr Oates was allowed home from Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital the same day, his wife, who now uses a wheelchair, spent three months in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, after the accident in July last year.

She was then in Dene Barton Community Hospital, in Cotford St Luke, receiving treatment for brain injuries.

Friends of the couple, who live in Creech St Michael, rallied round and helped raise a total of £1,158.80 for Dene Barton and they have returned to the hospital to hand over a cheque.

Mr Oates said: "It's been very tough, but the treatment Val has received has been excellent and we wanted to say a big thank you to the staff at Dene Barton."