A BRITISH troop who was severely injured by a bomb while in action in Afghanistan, has set-up a new fitness group in south Bucks after recovering from his injuries.

Lance Corporal Tim Jones, who lives in Loudwater, was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in November 2011, while on a routine patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

The device left him severely injured while one other man in the platoon, Private Thomas Lake, was killed.

After two years of rehabilitation the 26-year-old was medically discharged from the army on Sunday, August 31.

During his months of recovery, he qualified as a personal fitness instructor and worked for the Beacon Sports Centre in Holtspur and he has now started his own military fitness group.

Mr Jones said: “We were out on a foot patrol in Helmand when I got hit by an IED. I was at the front of the platoon and had just passed it so I took the brunt of it on my back.

“Unfortunately, the lad behind me died and the two further back also suffered injuries.

“It has been a long journey since that day, I suffered a lot in my legs and my nerves were damaged.

“Since that day I think I have had 16 operations on my legs and I am almost back to full fitness.”

Mr Jones founded the Military Specific Fitness (MSF) company earlier this year along with Andre Nasr, who Tim used to train.

The MSF takes many of its core training methods from the British Military, with the group focusing more on teamwork and motivation rather than fancy technology.

In a recent launch display in Gerrards Cross Common, Help for Heroes representatives - who the company support - joined the group in showing what they could do.

Mr Jones added: “In the last couple of years I qualified as a personal trainer and along with Andre it was decided we should start this group up.

“I enjoy it because it is similar to the make-up of the military and reminds me of that, it is very different from most classes and we also have a bit of fun.”

Classes run every Tuesday and Thursday at the Beacon Sports Centre in Holtspur Way.

For more information please email book@militarysf.co.uk