Frontline duties for soldier with false limb

A soldier who lost his leg in a bomb blast in Afghanistan has returned to the frontline equipped with a prosthetic limb - and will serve alongside his younger brother.

Lance Bombardier Anthony Makin, 21, and his brother Paul, 20, are at Camp Bastion military base preparing for battle against the Taliban in Helmand Province.

Anthony was badly injured two years ago when his convoy was hit by a landmine in Helmand Province.

The blast, which killed a colleague, shattered his left thigh, sending a six-inch piece of shrapnel into his right foot.

The soldier, of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, thought his career was over when he underwent emergency surgery and had his right leg amputated below the knee.

But he amazed medics by battling back to full fitness with a false limb and after being inspired by Anthony's fighting spirit his brother decided to join the Army.

Paul begins his first tour of active service in Afghanistan today.

Anthony, from Benwell in Newcastle, told the Evening Chronicle: "I've been looking forward to this for ages. It's what you sign up for and what you do all the training for so that's what I'm doing.

"I know what to expect this time round. I'm not nervous."

Brother Paul, a private, added: "It's great to be doing this with my brother. I don't really know what to expect because this is the first time I've done this.

"But in a way I've been wanting to go because it's a new thing. It's what we've been training for. I'm not put off by what happened to Anthony."

Lance Bombardier Makin is believed to be just the second amputee to return to front line service in the country.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "Lance Bombardier Makin has shown huge personal strength to overcome his injuries.

"His determination to return to operations is testimony to the commitment and dedication seen across the British Armed Forces.