MARKETING Manager Kathy Walker is back at her desk in Bolton JobCentre after a freak accident on holiday.

Kathy, who is helping to organise the annual Bolton Jobsfair at Bolton Town Hall on Friday, September 22, was off work for two months after her sunshine break on the Greek island of Samos was ruined.

She and husband Ray were walking near the beach in the resort of Pythagorian when a sudden gust of wind ripped a large wooden panel from a beach bar and blew it 30 feet into the road.

It hit Kathy without warning and she was seriously injured. Ray and passers-by dragged away the wood away and Kathy was eventually taken to hospital by a taxi-driver and stayed there for four days.

She needed 11 stitches in a severe head wound and was bruised and scarred on her arm and leg. "But, thankfully, I'm all right now," she said today, back in the familar environment of her office.

She was glad she took her E111 form, which covered the cost of the hospital treatment.

After paying a £45 excess charge, Kathy received just £100.68p from the holiday insurance policy and was advised there was no point in seeking redress from the uninsured Greek bar owner.

"It was going to be a lovely holiday until that happened," she said.

Back at work, Kathy now has to endure endless jokes about the 'propping up' of bars.

THE Town Hall Jobsfair, which opens at 10am and closes at 1pm, features companies offering about 500 temporary seasonal vacancies.

Those attending include Argos, Asda, Currys, Index, Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Littlewoods, Woolworths, Toys 'R' Us, Matalan, Park Cake Bakeries, Morrisons, Currys and PC World.

Last year's event attracted a staggering 2,500 people.

The event is sponsored by Bolton Council's Economic and Physical Development Unit.