AN AYR bowler has been named in Scotland’s Para Lawn Bowls team for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later this year.

Garry Hood, who plays at Craigie Bowling Club, is a former Scottish gents international who competed in the 1994 Games in Australia with the men’s mainstream squad, competing alongside the legendary Willie Wood.

In recent years he suffered serious illness and spent months in hospital paralysed from the neck down.

“When I got the phone call to tell me I was on the team, I could have cried,” he said.

“Five years ago I thought I would never walk again, so it’s hard to describe.

“I look back at where I’ve been, the bad days, eleven months in hospital, paralysed for most of it and you would never believe you’re even going to be considered to play at the top level in the game again.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, frustration, pain, but I’m delighted the hard work’s paid off.”

Garry will be partnered by Kevin Wallace in the B6-B8 men’s pairs at the Games, between July 26 and August 2.