A POPULAR Wrexham councillor is recovering in hospital after suffering serious injuries in a collision near Chirk.

Cllr Paul Blackwell walked out of the wreckage of his black Ford Fiesta which was involved in a collision with another car on the A5 at Whitehurst on Wednesday, October 17.

The politician, who represents the Plas Madoc ward, escaped with rib injuries and a dislocated shoulder and has been undergoing treatment at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

There have been messages of goodwill from across the political divide wishing him a speedy recovery including Wrexham Council leader Mark Pritchard when he addressed colleagues at the authority's Executive Board meeting yesterday.

Labour colleague and friend, Cefn ward councillor Derek Wright said: "Paul is a well-liked councillor and the number of messages of goodwill from across the political parties and the community in general since his accident demonstrates that. There are a lot of people who have their fingers crossed hoping he makes a full recovery.

"I've been a community councillor for 11 years and I've known him for all that time and all our thoughts are with him and his family."

Cllr Blackwell, who lives in Acrefair, has been a borough councillor for more than six years and is also a member of Cefn Community Council and the Plas Madoc Community Safety Group, while also serving as a governor at Rhosymedre Community Primary School.

The 46-year-old works for his father, John, who runs the Parc Service Station at Carrog.

His father said: "We had a bit of a shock when we first heard, but Paul is standing up now and I am hoping that he will be out of hospital later this week. He'd been visiting in Chirk and he was coming home when it happened."

North Wales Police have appealed for witnesses to the crash which took place at around 3.50pm on October 17 at the B5605 junction with the A5. Cllr Blackwell's vehicle was in collision with a silver VW Golf whose driver also required hospital treatment. There were no passengers in either car.

Cllr Wright added: "I've been to see Paul three times in hospital and he can't remember much about the crash other than seeing a piece of metal flying towards him."

Anyone with information about the crash should contact the Roads Policing Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 and quote reference number W148420.