A former postwoman who was left disabled in a car crash now has a new lease of life thanks to a charity helping her get back to work.

Lesley Hawkins, 59, rarely socialised or left her home for more than three years and had given up hope of ever working again.

She was a postie in Alresford for eight years, with a round of 380 properties, but could not carry on when she was left with severe walking difficulties after she was injured in a car crash.

On her drive to work in April 2011, a van spun on the A120 near Marks Tey and collided with her car.

Lesley, of Coggeshall Road, Braintree, had to be cut free and her left ankle had to be reconstructed.

See the Braintree Times for the full story.