AN art trail which celebrates artists in the area and their stories has helped one woman to step out of her comfort zone after surviving a ruptured brain aneurism.

Sara Howarth, 48, was a Royal Air Force officer for 17 years before she suffered from a severe brain injury in 2014.

Due to “uncontrollable epilepsy” caused by the brain injury, she moved back to Burnham-on-Crouch and discovered her new passion for art.

She was supported by the Royal British Legion and Bravo 22, which works with injured service men and women.

Sara's art is now being featured in the Burnham-on-Crouch Art Trail, which ends on Sunday.

Her wire sculpture, which is on display at Burnham Library, was the first thing she made in the Art of Recovery course she did with Bravo 22.

Sara had to have a large part of her skull removed and a titanium plate fitted to protect her brain.

She lives with sister Kate Becker, 50, who supports her every day with cooking and cleaning.

She also suffered with neuro fatigue, which has affected her speech and makes it harder for her to communicate.

Sara said: “The art trail has helped my confidence so much and made me step out of my comfort zone.

“I thought my life was over when my brain exploded and I didn’t see any future.

“I was planning a good future and then this happened, I can’t write and my epilepsy is uncontrollable and I have to rely on Kate for everything.

“My brain is amazing. It’s great that something so positive has come out of it.”

She has eight pieces of her art displayed in the library and each piece is linked to the military or from Sara’s own experiences as an officer in the RAF.

Kate said: “She is very fortunate to still be here - she was in theatre for nine hours, many people don’t survive.

“Many people lose part of their personality when they have brain surgery, but one thing she hasn’t lost is her sense of humour - she always laughs at herself.

“Her art is very thought-provoking and moving, and there is so much meaning behind each one.”