A FORMER paratrooper who lost both legs while on patrol in Northern Ireland has been crowned British Skydiver of the Year.

The British Parachute Association presented Alistair Hodgson, 39, of Hale near Milnthorpe, with the prestigious award - which is dedicated to the memory of world record holder Taz Causer, who died in 2006.

“I really feel very honoured and humbled as Taz was a friend of mine,” said Mr Hodgson.

The daredevil holds the UK record for formation skydiving and has claimed the national freestyle title with his wife Pixie, two years in a row.

“Freestyle is a balletic version of skydiving - like dancing in the air,” he said.

“Obviously I love the freedom, speed and power it gives you, but it is also really rewarding.

“I’ve done about 5,000 skydives but I’m still learning with every jump.”

BPA technical officer, Tony Butler said it was a “tremendous” achievement.

“It is a very prestigious title and the highest honour for any skydiver or parachutist,” he said.

“The BPA don’t take disability into account so to be named British champion is a huge achievement.”

It was while serving in the Parachute Regiment during a tour of Northern Ireland, in 1992, that Mr Hodgson’s life changed forever.

While searching for weapons on patrol, he triggered an IRA landmine and lost both legs.

His left leg was blown off below the knee, his right leg was later amputated below the hip and he suffered severe injuries.

After undergoing numerous operations he was left completely immobile for 12 weeks and underwent months of rehabilitation.

Determined to carry on, the sportsman built up his fitness with outdoor pursuits, starting with a kayaking tour on the rivers of the Lake District.

It was in 2000 that a friend encouraged him to take part in a tandem skydive for charity.

“I loved it so much that I did it again and again and gave up all other sports to concentrate on skydiving,” he said.

Mr Hodgson teaches freefly skydiving techniques at the British Parachute School, at Langer, in Nottingham, and has won numerous awards over the past ten years.

He is currently training with Pixie for the National and World Skydiving Championships in Russia, this summer.

The couple hope to improve on their current ranking as fifth in the world.

“I’m very lucky I found skydiving, especially because it allows me to compete alongside able-bodied people,” said Mr Hodgson.

“One door was closed when I was injured but it has opened a lot of others.

“To others who have been injured I would say: ‘Find something that you are really passionate about and if you pursue it with all your heart, the disability will fade into the distance’.”

For more information on the Speedkix Skydiving Team visit: www.speedkix.com.