The man fitted with the world's first artificial heart competed a 91-mile fundraising walk in Oxford - a year after undergoing the ground-breaking surgery.

The Jarvic 2000 pump was implanted into Peter Houghton's heart by surgeon Steve Westaby at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, on June 20 last year.

Nikki King, of the Artificial Heart Fund, gives Peter Houghton a foot massage

Mr Houghton and two friends spent a week walking along canals between Birmingham, where he lives, and Oxford, at an average of 15 miles a day. The last stretch, between Thrupp and the finishing point at Antiquity Hall, Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, was the shortest at seven miles.

"I couldn't walk 50 yards before the operation, but now after the operation I can walk the 91 miles between Birmingham and Oxford," the 62-year-old said. The walk has raised more than £15,000 for the Artificial Heart Fund at the John Radcliffe Hospital, and Mr Houghton trained by walking along canals near his home in Edgbaston.

He said he didn't get out of breath on the walk - his only problems were the blisters on his feet.

Mr Houghton is one of four people who have had the pump implanted as part of a clinical trial.

One has died and the others are doing well.

"If we can prove that it works we can help thousands. There only 228 transplants every year and there are over 10,000 people needing them," Mr Houghton said.

A party for Mr Houghton, to celebrate the first anniversary of his heart operation, will be held at The Heart Hospital, London, on June 27.

**Picture: George Reszeter