A teenager returned to school for the first time since part of his leg was amputated, to see the friends who have rallied around in a fundraising drive.

Michael Johnstone, 16, visited Caldew School, in Dalston, for the first time since he was struck by a car while walking with a group of friends along Dalston Road in Carlisle at the end of January.

His injuries were so serious doctors had to amputate his right leg just below his knee.

Michael said of the visit: "It was great. It was nice seeing all my friends. It was really tiring though."

Pupils at the school gave Michael a cheque for £1,000, raised through a cake sale and donations. The money will go towards a special sports prosthetic leg for Michael, which will allow him to continue playing football - a sport he loves.

The cost of a prosthetic leg varies greatly and caring for the prosthetic can be expensive. According to England Athletics, the cost of a single below-knee blade, socket and fitting is £4,000 to £6,000.

But Michael is well on the way to being able to buy a sports prosthetic, thanks to generous donations from his friends, family and even strangers.

A Go Fund Me page set up for Michael has so far raised £4,640. Upperby Primary School, Uldale Road, Carlisle, raised £1,000 of that money as Michael's mum, Alison Johnstone, works there.

And there's even more fundraising ahead as on April 1, a curry night will be held at Yewdale community centre.

Michael and Alison have been amazed at the support people have shown them.

Alison said: "I really can't believe strangers and friends - it's amazing what they are doing."

Michael goes to physio twice a week and has already practiced walking using what he described as a 'blow up leg'.

He said: "It was weird at first but once I got used to it, it was fine."

Of his recovery, he said: "I'm fine really. I'm just trying to get better as fast as I can."

While he was visiting Caldew, Michael discussed coming back to school after Easter with the head of sixth form.

He is currently studying four AS levels in English Literature, Law, Media and Sociology but is now interested in taking up additional science and becoming a physiotherapist.

Alison said: "It's changed his whole thinking. I keep saying this will make him do something. It's changed his pathway in life."

Cheryl Eastburn, enterprise and marketing manager at Caldew School, said it was great to have Michael back.

She said: "It was really good. It was lovely for him to catch up with his class friends and also the others in sixth form.

"It just felt like we had the old Michael back really. I think it's important really to give everyone a chance to see him."