Drummer Martin Shields, 28, spent four months in intensive care in Prague, and three months in Glasgow`s Southern General Hospital, after being struck by Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

But Martin has fought back against the disease - which attacks the nervous system - and is back home in Erskine walking unaided for the first time in nine months.

Now the Samba Ya Bamba member plans to return to Prague next month to play two gigs with his Czech band BTnJ.

advertisementMartin said: "I feel like I`ve got my life back.

"I`m feeling so much better and it`s great to be able to get back into music I can`t wait to go back to Prague.

"I got out of hospital four weeks ago and I`m back staying at my mum and dad`s. They`ve been absolutely brilliant."

"I`m able to walk without any aids at all now.

"I`m back playing with both bands but I am singing and rapping because I`m not able to play drums again yet.

"My hands are still very weak and I have a splint on my left wrist. I am hoping to make a 100% recovery but I`ve just got to wait and see."

Martin also hopes to play the West End festival in June with Samba Ya Bamba, Glasgow`s best-loved drumming collective.

It`s been a long and difficult journey back to health but his determination has boosted his recovery.

He has also benefited from being under the care of a team of neurologists at the Southern General, who are world-renowned experts on his condition.

Martin`s nightmare began when he contracted Guillain-Barre Syndrome while working as an English teacher in the Czech capital last August.

Normally a picture of health, Martin, who is 6ft 6in, spent four months in intensive care and lost four stones. He was finally flown home to the Southern General, where he had to learn to walk again.

As the Evening Times revealed in January, Martin took his first steps on the road to recovery with the aid of the Aircast boots, used by Wayne Rooney and David Beckham.

Copyright © 2007 Newsquest (Herald & Times) Limited.