A PARKINSON'S sufferer who underwent radical brain surgery says five months after his operation his life is unrecognisable — and he has just swam along the Great Barrier Reef to prove it.

Clive Ruddy, 62, of Rockside Road, Thurlstone, who has suffered from the disease for more than 15 years, underwent the revolutionary operation, during which he was awake, in December.

He decided to have the £30,000 operation to give him back control over his muscles after the disease became so crippling he was forced to retire and give up his driving licence. And last month he went on a four-week trip to Australia to celebrate.

As well as swimming along the Great Barrier Reef he achieved another of his goals and climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, that has more than 1,800 steps.

Clive, a former welder, said: "I didn't think I would ever be this active again, it's like being given a new life. Swimming in the Great Barrier Reef was unbelievable and such an achievement, it is something I thought I would never be able to do. I feel so lucky."

"When my cousins saw me they couldn't believe how energetic and happy I was since the operation.

"It is the best thing I have ever done and I still get emotional sometimes when I think about how much my life has changed. I have my independence back."

His Parkinson's is now so well controlled that he hopes to get his driving licence back soon.