Helen Smith had both her arms and legs amputated after suffering near fatal meningitis, and then faced a struggle to get suitable artificial limbs from the NHS.

She says the prosthetics - artificial limbs - she was given by Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge were of limited use.

Claw hook

The artificial arms came with a claw hook for a hand and the artificial legs were plastic at the joint, causing blisters.

There were also problems getting the limbs fitted properly, leading to her having a series of artificial legs which she does not use.

Ms Smith, who is training to swim in the Paralympics, said: "The limbs I was given where very, very uncomfortable. They gave me enormous blisters and I couldn't wear them for more than an hour at a time."

Rather than leave her home without any artificial limbs, she would stay in and found it very difficult to get on with her life.

Eventually, media campaigns helped her raise �30,000 to pay for state of the art equipment bought privately.

The hospital said it had done its best to meet Ms Smith's needs.