World Cup-winning former England coach Gary Street is recovering from a "massive stroke" that followed a heart bypass operation in August.

Launching a fundraiser, his family revealed he had a number of "additional challenges" after the planned heart operation, and remains in hospital.

"Complications led to a blood clot on his brain, and he suffered a massive stroke," they said.

Street could be discharged from hospital soon, and the family are trying to raise funds to help his ongoing recovery.

"Gary was paralysed on his right side as were his vocal cords," they wrote.

"He then went on to face additional challenges including a lung infection, an emergency tracheotomy and sepsis. He was unable to swallow, speak or move.

"After five months in four different hospitals, he's relearned swallowing, regained mobility in his paralysed limbs, developed core strength and begun walking short distances.

"Now with discharge under consideration, Gary will need ongoing therapy and support."

The family said Street was "at the very early stages of learning to talk again" and he continued to have pain in his left arm and hand that "significantly" impacted his independence.

Street began his coaching career in local junior rugby in Birmingham.

After a spell as a coach at the University of Birmingham, he took charge of the England team in 2007 and led them to World Cup success against Canada in Paris. He left the role by mutual consent in January 2015.

Street went on to become Harlequins Women's co-head coach, then took a role with the Quins Academy.

The family added: "The future is uncertain. While he has surpassed doctors' expectations, the chance of full recovery remains unknown. Daily intensive physiotherapy, along with speech and occupational therapy, is essential to continue his progress.

"Upon discharge, he faces a two-year wait for speech therapy and a four-month wait for physiotherapy."

Former England captain Sarah Hunter was part of the team that won the 2014 World Cup.

Writing on social media, she said Street was a "wonderful man", adding: "Now it's our turn to help him."