Stephen Adams, who nearly died in a quad-biking accident during a summer holiday in Greece, said this Christmas turned out to be one of his best.

Stephen, 23, of St Peter's Road, Wolvercote, Oxford, suffered extensive injuries to his head, face, ribs and internal organs in the accident in September.

He was in a coma for several weeks and doctors initially feared he would suffer severe brain damage.

Stephen has made good progress since being transferred to Oxford's Churchill Hospital and although his family feared he would still be in hospital over Christmas, he recovered quickly enough to spend six days at home - the best Christmas present they could wish for.

Immediately after the accident, his insurance company said he could not be flown home because the bike he was riding was not covered in his policy and he was not wearing a helmet but he was flown home by the firm after the Oxford Mail highlighted the case.

Stephen, a printer at the Oxford Mail, said: "It's been great, I've been coping a lot better than I thought I would.

"Christmas Eve was the first time I've been able to walk up the stairs and sleep in my own bed.

"The whole family have been round saying hello, it's been excellent, one of the best Christmases ever."

Stephen's fiance Carianne Smith, 20, an Oxford Mail receptionist, has been with the family over Christmas. She was also injured in the accident, but was well enough to fly home.

Stephen's mother Linda, 52, has been told by the hospital he can stay at home until tomorrow (Dec 29).

She said: "It's been brilliant, he's doing so well. Just to have him home was Christmas in itself.

"Four months ago we thought we weren't going to be able to bring him home at all."

Stephen plans to spend New Year's Eve with Carianne, while Linda and father John, 61, take a short break.