AN ex-serviceman injured in Afghanistan is one of a group of veterans being helped through the healing process by getting into art.

Steve Shaw fractured his spine in an accident while driving a Land Rover that rolled into a canal on deployment into a war zone.

The 49-year-old, who lives in Goring, also suffered neck injuries and was left with heart problems and post-traumatic stress disorder.

After the corporal was medically discharged, he felt "superfluous to life" and became involved in a recovery project through the Royal British Legion called Bravo 22 Company.

He initially took part in a play called Two World’s Of Charlie F, which gave him hope and now he is among a group of veterans being helped in an art project.

The single father of three children said: "After my injury I was made to feel like I was superfluous to life. This project proved I have a voice and that I can stand with pride with what I achieved.

“It was a great experience. It definitely helped me and the other cast members to prove that we were good at doing things – we were not useless at all."

He joined the cast as a lead actor in 2011 and toured the UK and Canada with the production up until its climax in 2013.

After completing it Steve was one of several veterans to take part in a project involving model-making, sculpture and collage that culminated in an exhibition at the Phoenix Gallery in Brighton called The Art Of Recovery.

Steve said: "I made some enquiries as it sounded interesting. I was told by my personal recovery unit I couldn’t do it because I have trouble standing and walking.

"To be honest, that only drove me on to prove to people – and myself – that I could do it.

"It was nice to be around guys who have been injured in some way and in the same frame of mind. It all helps with the healing process.

"I’m no artist, and this was the first time I’d ever done anything like this. It’s a really worthwhile project to be involved in and I would encourage anyone in a similar position to me to get involved in Bravo 22 Company."

Steve, who served with the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, is now registered disabled but can walk unaided.

He added: "My design is a representation of myself, and how I live my life day to day. I spend a lot of time lying on my back with my feet up against the radiator allowing the heat to pass through my body to warm areas where I’m in pain.

"It was interesting to see people’s reaction to the piece as it’s obviously very personal.

"It was hard work – both emotionally and physically – but the group of guys involved pulled us all through it."