A Paralympian Welsh businessman, who lost his leg in a cycling accident as a child, is on a mission to produce the world’s coolest prosthetic leg covers.

Mark Williams from Denbighshire launched his latest designer prosthetic leg covers at Naidex at the NEC in Birmingham this week.

As well as new prosthetic leg covers lit with flashing LED lights, there will be carbon fibre finishes available to buy and samples of bespoke designs featuring everything from the Welsh flag to Remembrance Day covers.

Mark runs LIMB-art, a British design and manufacturing company based in Conwy and dedicated to improving on the stem legs traditionally offered on the NHS, which resemble ‘poles’.

LIMB-art covers, which come in all sorts of colours, designs and patterns, give prosthetic legs a better shape as well as allowing the wearer to express their personality.

The company was one of five finalists of the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs, hosted by EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou. The award rewards those with disabilities who have demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial spirit and business ability in the face of significant barriers.

Mark, 47, who was a medallist at the Seoul Paralympics in 1988, said:

“Although prostheses have come on in leaps and bounds functionally, how they look has generally been overlooked.

 “LIMB-art aims to change this. Our covers are a completely customisable accessory, lightweight and easy to fit and they are suitable for all users of above and below knee prostheses.

“Our covers not only give the wearer a full leg shape and restore balance to their silhouette, they also boost their confidence and allow them to show their personality because we offer a whole range of colours and designs.

 “When you wear a cool looking cover, it breaks down barriers and cuts out awkward stares. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been stopped in the street and been told my leg looks amazing.

 “We don’t want prosthetic wearers to hide away or be self-conscious. We want to be known worldwide for making the coolest prosthetic leg covers so people who wear them feel they can stand out and stand proud.”

There are more than 500 new amputees each month in the UK and over 30 million amputees globally.