A WAR hero who lost both his legs in an explosion in Iraq was given the top prize at an awards ceremony attended by the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Neil Heritage, from Poole, received the Henry Worsley Award at the inaugural Endeavour Fund Awards, in memory of the British Army officer and explorer who died last year while attempting to cross the Antarctic continent solo and unsupported.

Attempting something that no one had done before, Henry had taken on the incredible journey in aid of his brothers in arms who had become injured throughout their time in the armed forces. All funds raised from his expedition were donated to the Endeavour Fund.

The top prize was named in honour of Henry as part of his legacy and to recognise his support to the armed forces community.

Neil was recognised for his involvement with Climb 2 Recovery, which he founded and which encourages wounded, injured and sick service personnel to take part in alpine climbing. The 35-year-old wanted to pass on his passion for climbing and the impact it can have on someone’s recovery, and last September he led a group for an intensive climbing course in the Alps.

In 2004, aged 24, Neil became the first British soldier of the Iraq conflict to survive an above-the-knee double amputation after being blown up by a suicide bomber. Having narrowly survived the explosion, and following countless surgical operations, Neil was told he would never walk again.

He refused to accept he would never walk again and, since recovering and retraining over the years, he has completed triathlons, learned to ski and rowed across the Atlantic Ocean unsupported in the inaugural Row2Recovery team. Last year, he attempted to summit the Matterhorn and will return to have another go later this year.

He was presented with his award by Prince William, as well as Max and Alicia, Henry’s children.

Speaking at the event, the Duke of Cambridge said: "The best way that we can thank Henry, the best way we can honour his memory is to create a legacy. The award of a prize in his name is but a small part of this legacy, a gesture offered to show how much Henry meant to us. A much more significant and meaningful legacy can be fulfilled by you; the community for whom Henry sacrificed so much."

Since its launch in 2012, the Endeavour Fund has supported 39 different projects that have directly assisted nearly 1,500 wounded and sick army personnel.