A DETERMINED man who has battled PTSD, surgery and using a wheelchair will be representing the UK in a sports competition for armed forces veterans.

Alan Izzard, 48, from Great Sankey, starting serving in the Royal Artillery when he was just 16 and spent 14 years serving all across the world.

But in 2003, three years after he left the army, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and also underwent a number of operations on his right ankle, back and spine.

Alan's wife Julie, 47, said this has limited him in some ways but he was always determined to not let it hold him back.

She said: "In 2017, Alan took up archery and joined a club in Runcorn called Kyujutsu Archery Club.

"He decided he wanted to take part in The Invictus Game Trials doing archery so after a large number of hours training at the club he took part in the trials but unfortunately was not selected.

"But Alan was not giving up and trained hard for any future events."

Alan had further operations on his ankle and now uses a wheelchair more often but he refused to let that stop him from having an active lifestyle and joined Warrington Wolves Wheelchair Rugby Team and starting playing wheelchair basketball.

Much to Alan's surprise, his hard work and determination was about to pay off as he was selected for a multi-sport event for wounded, injured or ill service personnel and veterans, organised by the United States Department of Defence.

Julie explained: "An unexpected email came through to say for The Warrior Games Trials there was 160 applicants and only 20 applicants can go to compete and Alan was one of the 20 selected to compete for The Warrior Games in Tampa Florida in June.

"We were both very shocked and excited and after the news had sunk in Alan now knows the hard work starts from now with weekend training camps up and down the country."

Alan will be competing in five sports events throughout the Warrior Games representing the UK, with 19 other competitors taking part.

Julie added: "We would like to say thank you to Help4Heroes, The Royal Artillery Association and Chris from Kyujutsu Archery Club in Runcorn, who have helped Alan in different ways to get him to the stage he is at now."