Australian scientists have made a breakthrough discovery, giving hope to paraplegics all around the world.

Dr Sylvia Gustin from Neuroscience Research Australia has found half of all patients suffering from major spinal cord injuries still have some sensory nerve connections.

Using magnetic resonance imaging she tested 23 patients with spinal cord injuries to see how they responded to touch.

26-year-old James Stanley was one of those patients participating in the study, after being paralysed in a freak surfing accident.

Dr Gustin and James both spoke with Alan Jones about the groundbreaking findings.

Click PLAY below to listen to the full chat with Dr Gustin and James