A GROUNDSMAN who cheated death by surviving a massive boiler explosion has received £65,000 in damages.

Stuart Wallace amazed firefighters by walking away from Bitterne cricket pavilion after the force of the blast reduced the building to rubble and sent him spinning ten yards through the air.

Although he miraculously escaped serious injury, the 63-year-old was later diagnosed by psychiatrists as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and flash backs.

He also has tinnitus, hearing problems and a bad back.

More than three and a half years after the explosion, he has been handed damages from Southampton City Council - his employer at the time and the owner of the pavilion.

Mr Wallace, of Burnetts Lane in Horton Heath, told the Daily Echo: "I relive the incident over and over again.

"I remember thinking that an aeroplane had crashed in to the building.

"Afterwards, I got panic attacks and I had no boiler that winter. I was terrified to turn a gas boiler on in my own home."

Debris, including bricks and glass was sent flying through the air during the blast, narrowly missing families, cricket players and people enjoying themselves at a nearby funfair.

Mr Wallace, who had been locking the building up, managed to scramble out through a fire exit door that had been blown off its hinges.

Although he carried on working for several months after the incident, he stopped in winter when he was handed sick leave.

He says he is satisfied with the out-of-court settlement and pleased to be able to put the matter behind him.

"For three and a half years of suffering, it is fair and reasonable seeing as I still get the flashbacks occasionally," he added.

"There is a great relief on final closure - now that litigation is over, my life has improved.

"I don't feel angry at all. I take it in my stride and what will be will be."

A spokesman from Southampton City Council said the authority had taken action itself against a third party in a bid to recoup some of the cost of the pay-out. She said: "We can confirm that we did provide the settlement and the final settlement claim was £65,000. He was compensated for his injuries.

"We have also taken action ourselves to recoup some of the cost."