HOLLYWOOD hardman Ray Winstone is encouraging vulnerable war veterans to get in touch with their creative side and join an art class.

Famous for playing tough guys and East End gangsters, the star is showing his softer side by helping wounded, injured and sick service personnel get involved in an art project.

Armed forces champion Ray will be working with Bravo 22 Company, the Royal British Legion, and Phonix Brighton to help 15 people learn model making, sculpture and collage.

Ray told The Argus: "I’m personally delighted that Brighton will host this arts initiative which is the first of its kind in the UK.

“I know that Brighton will take this project to heart as I have, and I would encourage the local Armed Forces community to embrace it and get involved.

"Bravo 22 Company is an awesome project, and a project which I have been involved with since it began in 2011.

“Over the past five years the company has been changing lives for the better. When you hear about how people’s confidence has been improved from just taking part in these projects, you realise how important they are.

“It’s great to hear that due to this success, the projects are being rolled out regionally."

Artist and creative director Al Johnson will work with participants to create life size models, drawing on personal stories of recovery.

The project aims to improve self-awareness, confidence, self-esteem and motivation in order to help wounded, injured and sick personnel and their families along their individual paths to recovery.

It will culminate in a public exhibition ‘The Art of Recovery’ from Friday July 22 to Sunday July 24 at Phoenix Brighton.

Participants need to be based in Brighton and Hove and the surrounding areas, and can get involved in any capacity from 2.5 days a week, to a one-off session.

For more information call 07999 735 049, email bravo22company@britishlegion.org.uk or visit www.britishlegion.org.uk/bravo22