A WAR hero who lost both his legs in an explosion in Iraq is close to achieving his dream of teaching other wounded veterans how to dive.

Neil Heritage, from Poole, is training to be a scuba diving instructor with the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), as part of a project funded by charity Help for Heroes.

The 35-year-old had to have both legs amputated above the knee following an attack by a suicide bomber while serving as a Corporal in the Royal Signals in November 2004.

He first learned to scuba dive three years ago during a Help for Heroes funded expedition, and since then the father-of-two, a boot camp fitness instructor in Bridport, has been working hard towards his instructor licence.

Eventually he hopes to train other veterans who have been through similar experiences.

“When you’re in the water, you’re more mobile because of the weightlessness and you don’t have the same restrictions,” said Neil, one of eight former servicemen and women who recently took part in a scuba diving trip in Malta.

“There’s a sense of freedom.

“It’s amazing to see the progress made from day one to just a few days into the trip, and how people can improve and gain confidence.

“When you leave the forces you miss the time spent with military people. It’s beneficial to spend time with like-minded people again and get that back. There’s a shared sense of humour.”

So far, 17 similar diving expeditions have been organised in collaboration between Help for Heroes and BSAC’s ASADA branch, resulting in 80 qualifications.

All former soldiers selected for the training have been discharged from the Army as a result of life-changing injuries or health conditions.

BSAC instructor Maria Harwood said: “It was a pleasure to dive with them. Everyone just got stuck in and worked together as part of a team and the focus was more on what could be done rather than what couldn’t be.

“I was impressed by their commitment. They’re just a great bunch of people to work with and it’s quite a humbling experience.”

Neil’s previous accomplishments include a seven-and-a-half-week, 3,000-mile rowing challenge across the Atlantic to raise £1 million for wounded comrades, and the Help for Heroes 350 mile Bridge Too Far Bike Ride.