A lawyer whose life hung in the balance after an horrific skiing accident is to receive the highest accolade in his profession.

Roger Thomas, 45, will be appointed Queen's Counsel on May 3 when he is sworn in at the House of Lords.

The prestigious award is made by the Lord Chancellor's office on the recommendation of senior figures in the judicial profession.

A minimum of 20 years in practice is required and the Lord Chancellor's office provides a list of those to be appointed to the Queen. It is accepted that the recipient is a leader of the profession and, as a result, Mr Thomas will concentrate on the most serious criminal cases.

He will also share the same stage as his hero, former South African leader Nelson Mandela, who is to be made an honorary QC - Honoris Causa.

Mr Thomas, a recorder and senior barrister at Broadway House Chambers in Bank Street, Bradford, was called to the bar in 1976.

The father-of-three from Huddersfield has clawed his way back to full health after he was left fighting for his life following a skiing accident in France three years ago.

He fell 25 feet over a ledge and suffered head injuries after crashing into rocks and spent six weeks in a coma.

He told the Telegraph & Argus: "I have been very, very lucky. I was just about dead, on a life support machine. Two years down the line and I've made a full recovery.

"It's been hard work, I was off work the whole of 1998 but I've just devoted myself to hard work - 70 hours a week, up at dawn, late-night candle burning and working weekends.

"I was so emotional when I heard I had been appointed. I was just relieved and very, very pleased."

Ironically, he was in France skiing when the announcement was made.

"Having not caved my head in this year, I was able to phone up with my heart in my mouth and found I was on the list," he said.

"Although I don't drink I celebrated with half a glass of champagne.

"I was thrilled to learn that Nelson Mandela was going to be there too.

"If anyone of this century can be described as great it is him.

"It's great news for Bradford as well. A contemporary of mine Graham Hyland got it two years ago. That makes two of us in Bradford.''

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