Alton Towers victim Vicky Balch posts 'inspired' picture after leg amputation

Alton Towers rollercoaster crash victim Vicky Balch has posted her first picture since having her right leg amputated below the knee.

The 20-year-old tweeted a picture of her meeting Major Kate Philp, who lost a leg in Afghanistan, and has since trekked to the South Pole with Prince Harry.

Ms Balch said she was "inspired by a very amazing woman" and added that she hoped "one day I can do the same for somebody else".

The student, from Leyland in Lancashire, was among four people who suffered serious leg injuries after two carriages collided on the Smiler ride at the Staffordshire theme park.

She endured seven bouts of surgery in a bid to save her leg but unfortunately they proved unsuccessful and it was finally amputated last week.

Ms Balch was the second of the crash victims to lose a limb after Leah Washington also had to have her left leg amputated last month.