A TEENAGER from Weston who has spent more than a year in hospital after being knocked down by a speeding car has celebrated his birthday at home with his family.

A TEENAGER from Weston who has spent more than a year in hospital after being knocked down by a speeding car has celebrated his birthday at home with his family.

Brendon Ford sustained multiple injuries, causing severe brain damage, when he was hit by the car when crossing Marchfields Way in October 2006.

However, he was well enough to spend his 13th birthday at home in Bournville Road on Friday before attending a party at the For All Healthy Living Centre in Lonsdale Avenue on Saturday.

At the celebrations were 12-year-olds Coral Forde and Sherie Pender who held a talent show in December, which raised £216.50 for Brendon's family.

Brendon has been a patient at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol since the accident.

His head injury meant a substantial part of his skull had to be removed and he has been left unable to talk properly, eat solid foods or live independently.

When he has been well enough he has travelled home at weekends with his 34-year-old mum Donna Kibby.

Donna has stayed with Brendon at the hospital since the accident and her mum Carol Kibby has been taking care of her three other children Curtis, aged 14, Shauni, aged 7, and Finley, aged 2,

Carol, aged 56, said: "Luckily Brendon was well enough to spend two weeks at home over Christmas, but then he went downhill and he had to go back into hospital.

"It was so nice that he was able to come home again for his birthday."

Friends and family have been campaigning to make Marchfields Way safer ever since the incident.

More than 1,000 signatures were collected on a petition, outlining their wishes for traffic calming measures, and it was handed to North Somerset Council by south ward Councillor Ian Parker on October 23.

Carol said: "We haven't heard anything back about the petition yet but hopefully we will soon.