TEENAGER Sarah Phipps is lucky to be alive.

Almost two years ago, a moped crash left her fighting for her life with serious head injuries.

A piece of her brain the size of a golf ball had to be removed because it was damaged, and her brain swelled up dangerously.

Then 16, Miss Phipps, from The Highway, New Inn, was left in a coma and her parents were warned she faced permanent brain damage.

But now she is fully recovered and about to resume her studies.

Now 18, she is studying for GCSEs in maths, psychology and creative writing at St Dials learning centre and one day hopes to write a book about her experience.

Miss Phipps was travelling back from Coleg Gwent, Cross Keys campus, on her moped when it hit a patch of ice and spun out of control on Crumlin Road on December 20, 2006.

She was thrown off the moped and landed head-first on the road.

She suffered severe head injuries, including swelling to the brain, and was admitted to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

Miss Phipps underwent a three-hour life-saving operation to reduce the swelling but surgeons then discovered bruising on the brain and had to remove the damaged piece, which was the size of a golf ball.

She then underwent a second operation to rebuild her skull with bone cement - a type of filler used to anchor bones together.

Miss Phipps was in a coma for three weeks following the operations, and though doctors said the operation was a success, they told her parents, Clare, 44, and Sean, 54, there was only a one-in-300 chance she would make a good recovery and warned she could be left with permanent brain damage.

But Miss Phipps made a remarkable recovery and despite having to relearn how to walk, talk and eat, she was released from hospital five months later.

Miss Phipps then started rehabilitation sessions at Headway - a voluntary group based in Cardiff which helps restore self-confidence and communication skills in those who have suffered head trauma.

She has continued to make a steady recovery and although she has been left with limited short-term memory and has little feeling down the left side of her body she says she is otherwise feeling great.

Her mum said: “Headway has given Sarah her confidence back, without them she would not have got to where she is now.”

Miss Phipps has now returned to her part-time job in Stokes fruit and vegetable shop and hopes to study for her A Levels in the future. To show their thanks to Headway, the family are holding a fundraising evening on November 7 at Goytre Village Hall to raise money for the organisation which they say gave Miss Phipps her life back.

And despite her ordeal Miss Phipps added she has not been put her off getting back on a moped.

She said: “I love bikes and hope to get a new moped soon and, one day, even a motorbike.”