A personal trainer from Padgate has helped a man tackle mental health problems stemming from a brain infection by getting fit.

Nicola Rae, aged 28, motivated Robert Saile to lose two-and-a-half stone after he was diagnosed with encephalitis.

The infection causes inflammation of the brain and lead to the 37-year-old Newton-le-Willows residents suffering paranoia and claustrophobia.

After leaving hospital he weighed 15-and-a-half stone and could not run.

He joined Pure Gym on Winwick Road and started working with Nicola, who is a personal trainer at the gym.

She put together a training plan for Robert, and his confidence began to grow.

He was soon running 5km easily and decided to take part in a five mile road race, which he finished in 54 minutes.

Robert raised money for the Encephalitis Society when doing the event.

The family man has since started swimming, and has joined the Warrington Dolphins, a long distance swimming club that hosts events at Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub.

So far this year Robert has already ran in the BUPA Greater Manchester 10km and swam in various local indoor and outdoor races over the one mile distance.

He has also swam in two races on a national scale, one in Ullswater in the Lake District, and the other at the Great Manchester Swim in Salford Quays.

He said: "“Right now I feel great, fit and healthy and have lost 2 ½ stone. I am fairly certain that I would not have achieved any of this or completed these events, which I see as challenges, if I had not initially continued.

"This is therefore a testament to the atmosphere created at PureGym Warrington North, by Louise and Nicola in particular, and by the other staff too, of course.”

Louise, general manager, said: “Robert is a joy to be around and an absolute inspiration.

"He’s battled against serious health problems and is now healthier than ever."