A FIFE man paralysed in a horrific car crash several years ago has been named the Scottish finalist for a business heroes award.

Brad Stewart (32), of Ladybank, was only 20 when he was involved in the accident near Freuchie, which killed a friend and left him paralysed from the waist down.

He had just completed his apprenticeship as a bricklayer and had hoped one day to take over his father’s business.

Instead, he went on to found Blitz Discos and as a result has won the Scotland heat of the 2008 Barclays Trading Places Awards.

The awards recognise people who have overcome barriers to change their lives by setting up in business.

Brad is up against nine others from across the UK and will learn at a London awards ceremony in October whether he has won the top prize of £10,000.

Following his injury Brad was unemployed for a number of years before he mentioned to a Fife Council disability employment co-ordinator that he was interested in starting a mobile disco business.

He embarked on a course and after six months Blitz Discos was on the road.

Brad needs adapted equipment to run the business and employs a roadie to move kit and help him into less accessible venues.

But the business, catering for weddings, birthday and anniversary parties and corporate events, has grown steadily and has bookings as far ahead as 2010.

More importantly, the business had given him a future he thought he had lost.

He said, “Your life changes dramatically when you have an accident like mine but it doesn’t need to stop.”

Brad was congratulated on his achievement by Barclays marketing director for local business, John Davis, who is on the judging panel.

He said, “I hope his inspiring story will prove to other people in Fife that self-employment can be possible if you’ve got a dream and the guts and determination to make it work.”