A MUM who was paralysed from the waist down has claimed she learned to walk again after a two-minute session on a Honley firm's toning table.

Anne Bennett, 57, suffered a collapsed disc in her back while carrying books.

The mother-of-four, from Llandudno, north Wales, also suffered fibrosis and ME, and was largely housebound for 16 years.

Author Mrs Bennett, whose books include Walking Back To Happiness, claims five weeks ago she visited a toning table studio with a friend.

Mrs Bennett said she suffered excruciating pain after about two minutes and initially feared she had done herself further damage.

But that night she felt sensations in her legs and after a few days realised that she could walk.

It is believed her recovery was caused by scar tissue, or fibrosis, breaking down and allowing nerves to function again.

Mrs Bennett had recently lost weight, which may have helped the fibrosis to break down as well as the toning table movement.

She said: "It is absolutely astounding. I have been confined to a wheelchair for so long that I had almost given up hope of recovering.

"That night I realised that my legs were doing what I was telling them to.

"My legs were listening to my brain for the first time I could remember. It was astounding. I still can't get over it five weeks on."

She added that she was looking forward to her 40th wedding anniversary in January, when she plans to "dance all night" with husband Denis.

It is believed she was using a toning table designed and made by Honley firm Shapemaster.

The firm, which was founded in the late 1980s by current managing director Howard Blackburn, says it has supplied toning tables to every corner of the globe.

Mr Blackburn said: "I was pleased when I heard about this, but not surprised.

"To my knowledge this is not the first time something like this has happened."

There was a similar example in Pontefract a while back.

"We have even supplied a spinal unit at Salford Hope Hospital.

"I have been trying to get in contact with Mrs Bennett so hopefully we can have a chat. I'm delighted for her."