INJURED paratrooper Tom Neathway was back behind the wheel of a new quad bike yesterday, thanks to the boss of a local perfume company.

As reported in August, Corporal Neathway, aged 26, had his black £6,000 Apache FLX 320 quad bike taken from his bungalow near Worcester.

Cpl Neathway had used the bike, which was not insured, to regain his independence after losing three limbs in a bomb blast while serving in Afghanistan in 2008.

Ed Dunn, managing director of FragranceMad.com, who lives in Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminster, was so moved by the story that he offered to buy a replacement bike – and yesterday, the pair were able to meet for the first time.

Mr Dunn presented him with a similar make and model and said he was only too pleased to help “a true hero”.

“I was so angry when I read about it and it is horrible that it happened, so I just wanted to do what I could to help,” said Mr Dunn.

“This is the first time that I have met Tom and it is great to be able to give him the bike. I have also invited him to come with me to watch the Worcester Warriors game on Saturday.”

Cpl Neathway said he was touched by the gift and the widespread public support he had received since news of the theft broke.

He said: “This quad bike is a newer version of the one I had before.

“I had been so angry that my original one was taken. But it was great to meet Mr Dunn, he was so relaxed about it, and just said, ‘Here is a quad bike’.

“I am very thankful to him for doing this.”

Cpl Neathway said he had since stepped up security at his home. The former Bishop Perowne High School and St Barnabas Primary School pupil now works at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and has been instrumental in training and helping 800 paratroopers to qualify.

He said: “I am still trying to go over to Afghanistan, and this may be in January.

“I do still also have to go back to the States to finish my rehabilitation and to improve the socket fit for my prosthetic limbs as they are the world’s best at it.”

Anyone with information about the theft on Wednesday, August 25, can call police on 0300 3333000, quoting 110S/ 250810 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.