YOUNG mum Emma Webb believes she has been freed from years of painful back problems following a miracle performed by healer Rev Melvin Banks.

Miss Webb, who lives close to Devizes town centre, arrived for Saturday's special healing service in agony and on crutches but, after a few minutes of prayer, was able to cast them aside.

She said: "Afterwards I was able to stand up and, although I had a little niggle, the pain was gone."

Miss Webb was one of around 250 people who turned up for the service conducted by Mr Banks in Chippenham's Bridge Centre.

The 29-year-old mother explained how on Friday she had slipped in the playground of St Peter's School, Devizes, which her son Louis, aged four, attends, and this caused an old back injury to flair up.

She said: "When I fell on Friday afternoon I was in so much pain, I couldn't even feel my legs. I had slipped the discs in my back eight years ago when I was working as a carer and also suffered a car crash last year so I have been on pain medication to help deal with that."

Miss Webb said after falling on Friday, she was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath where she had X-rays and even passed out with all the pain.

She was then discharged and spent an uncomfortable night at home.

On Saturday, Miss Webb's partner, Jason, who is in the Army and based at Hullavington Barracks, took her to Mr Banks' service.

She said: "Jason and I had originally met at the Oasis Church in Chippenham so we both have faith in the power of prayer."

When the healing session began and Mr Banks started praying for Miss Webb, she said she felt a tingly and warm feeling go through her spine and the pain ebb away.

She said:"I feel so happy now and, after suffering from all that pain, it has changed my life. Some of the things and healings Mr Banks did over the weekend were remarkable."

Mr Banks, who also held a service in Chippenham Town Hall on Friday, said they had experienced many success stories over the two days.

"Everyone I prayed for said they felt the power through them and it was wonderful," said the 68-year-old Christian minister, who lives with his wife Lilian in Pewsham.

"I think that around two thirds of everyone I saw got immediate healing there and then. One woman who came along was able to take her hearing aid out. She was so happy to be able to hear properly again."

People from as far field as Wales turned up for the services. Mr Banks said: "It was nice to do something like this in my home town."