Council chief takes soccer tumble

Harry Thomas (in blue) was in fine form before injury struck

A council chief executive faces weeks at home after injuring himself during a charity football match.

But Harry Thomas, 46, joked that he had only "the great referee in the sky" to blame for his snapped achilles tendon, rather than a "rogue councillor".

Despite the pain, Gwynedd's top official will carry on with his work via e-mail, phone and personal visits.

"Before the game I was concerned about injuries to our aged councillors," he said.

The game between council officers and councillors is set to raise around £1,000 to send a local man to the United States for treatment which could save his eyesight.

Nick Thomas, 27, wants to take part in a trial for a new treatment for Stargaardts macular dystrophy.

Mr Thomas said despite his injury, the day was "great (for most people) and the injury was suffered for a good cause".

"The great referee in the sky decided to arrange for my left achilles tendon to be snapped with the double humiliation that I have no rogue councillor to blame for the injury," he said.

But Mr Thomas, who has held the job since 2003, promised that it was "almost business as usual".

He plans to carry on with his work from his home a mile from the council's headquarters in Caernarfon.

"By adapting and being positive you can cope with many small setbacks in life," he said.

Mr Thomas praised staff at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor who treated him.

"Despite being very busy all the staff were wonderful - public service at its best," he said.