A baker has told of his fight to get back into the kitchen after having a stroke.

Stephen Chater started baking in November 1966 and has worked all over the world, including on P&O cruise ships and for the Intercontinental Hotels Group in Abu Dhabi.

The 66-year-old’s life was turned upside down when he had a stroke in September 2014 which affected the left side of his body.

“When I had my stroke I felt lost,” he said. “The thought of not being able to use my left arm and hand again was frightening and devastating.

“Not only did I have to come to terms with having a stroke, but I also thought I might never be able to bake again.

“After leaving the hospital, my one mission was to get back into the kitchen and bake.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Although I was afraid, I needed to find out if I could still do it. I wouldn’t give up easily.”

Mr Chater has always baked everything by hand and wasn’t prepared to use tools. But by making slight alternations – such as sitting down and resting on a bench – he was back in the kitchen just three months after his stroke.

“I didn’t make life easy, either. I made a four-strand plait loaf, a five-strand plait loaf, and a bloomer,” he said.

“It was an incredible feeling when I finally baked the loaf. It was little tricky and did take me longer, but I did it – and that’s all that matters.”

Mr Chater said his advice to anyone who has suffered a stroke is to never give up.

He added: “It will take a heap of patience, a whole lot of determination, but you can do it.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s not perfect. It matters that you’ve pushed yourself.”

He is now encouraging budding bakers across the county to take part in the Stroke Association’s Give a Hand and Bake campaign and cake sale to raise money for the charity to help other stroke survivors.

Give a Hand and Bake takes place between October 24 and 30.