UNLUCKY Harry Hayler should really have known that he was heading for a fall while out skiing.

Even though he is not superstitious, he was fully aware he was tempting fate by going skiing on January 13.

And if the number 13 is really unlucky, Mr Hayler, 55, was taking a risk in the first place by even contemplating going skiing at all on his 13th annual trip to the slopes.

But he felt he could laugh in the face of fate, having never hurt himself on skis - and he paid the consequences.

Mr Hayler should not even have got out of bed, because on the first day of his trip to the Italian Alps he fell over skiing and broke his arm and shoulder.

He is now recovering at his home in Bridge Road, Sarisbury Green, near Fareham.

But skiing now no longer holds any fear for the steward of Sarisbury Social Club, because he says the worst has passed. "I suppose I should have known it was asking for trouble by skiing on the 13th day of the month on my 13th trip. It was even worse because it was the first day of my holiday," he said.

"Now the worst that luck could throw at me has happened, I don't suppose it can really happen again. It was painful when it happened and afterwards, but it hasn't put me off skiing.''

The accident took place at Sauze d'Oulx, when he swerved to avoid a novice skier and fell heavily.

He was on a trip with his wife, Rita, and a group of friends who always travel together.

Harry was flown by his insurance company back to Southampton General Hospital, where he underwent surgery last week.