A gold medal winning Paralympian from the Highlands has vowed to “push on” after undergoing nine hours of surgery to remove a tumour from his spinal column.
It is the fourth time that David Smith has had the operation to remove the recurring tumour.
The Aviemore athlete, who won gold in rowing at the 2012 Paralympics in London, had been aiming to compete again this summer as a cyclist.
But the 37-year-old was forced to bring forward the surgery and abandon his dream of competing at the Rio Olympic Games.
Yesterday he posted a short video message from his hospital bed shortly after coming round from his nine-hours in hospital.
He thanked hundreds of well-wishers who had sent messages of support ahead of his operation for their “energy”, saying the operation “went well”.
He added: “My voice is kind of damaged a little bit and I’m temporarily paralysed down one side so I can’t really use my left arm or left leg at the moment.
“But I feel very good, I’m still here and I’m just going to push on with the rehab now and get going.
“I need to learn to walk again, I need to learn to stand and everything but all is good.”
Mr Smith won his gold medal as a member of the GB mixed coxed fours.
He has also previously represented Great Britain in karate and bobsleigh.