Hull man receives first bionic arm courtesy of the NHS

Mike Swainger, from Hull, was just 13 when he lost his right arm and leg in an horrific accident in 1992, when he was hit by a train while playing with friends.

After being picked as the first person to receive the UK's most advanced medical technology on the NHS, Mike said the best thing is being able to walk down the street hand-in-hand with his youngest daughter Jodie, 6.

Mike, 33, said the battery-powered "myo-electric bebionic3" hand has given him a new lease of life.

He said: 'It has changed my life immeasurably.

'Having a bionic hand that actually works like a real hand is such a confidence booster. It encourages you to take on different tasks and is a great ice breaker. I've heard little kids in the street saying "Look, it's a robot".

The arm has two electrodes in a socket, with one connected to his bicep and the other linked to his tricep.

Electronic impulses from the muscles and nerve endings create a current, which triggers hand movements.

If Mike tenses his bicep, the hand closes and if he tenses his tricep, it opens.

He only found out about the bionic arm after he carried out some research and approached manufacturer, RSLSteeper, and offered to be a guinea pig for the firm.

He was told the technology was in the very early stages and was more often used abroad or in the private sector, rather than the NHS, but he agreed to keep it in mind.

Six months ago he was told he could receive the arm - and has never looked back.