Alton Towers victim's fears over plans to re-open Smiler

Alton Towers crash victim Vicky Balch has spoken about her safety fears after she was told that plans were being drawn up to re-open the theme park's Smiler ride.

Vicky - who is taking a year out from the University of Derby - was badly injured in the crash in June, and had to have her right leg amputated. She is now learning to walk on a prosthetic leg.

The 20-year-old says Merlin Entertainments chief executive Nick Varney came to visit her and he told her he hoped to re-open the rollercoaster within 'months'.

An external investigation by the Health and Safety Executive is underway, but theme park bosses told the victims that a ride operator and engineer were to blame for the crash.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, Vicky told presenters that she was struggling to come to terms with the trauma she had suffered.