A YOUNG soldier from Whitefield is recovering from serious injuries after a "friendly fire" attack on his tank in Iraq.

Andy Julien, aged 18, is in Wythenshawe Hospital, blinded in one eye and with two broken legs. He has undergone four skin grafts and reconstruction operations on his leg muscles.

Shrapnel hit his left eye, causing blindness which doctors hope will be temporary.

This week Andy's mother, Mrs Avis Julien, relived the moment she got a call from army officials telling her that her son -- a gunner with the Queen's Royal Lancers -- had been seriously injured in a "friendly fire" attack on his Challenger tank .

The teenager, a former pupil at Philips High School, suffered head and leg injuries.

"I just wanted to get out there. I felt helpless, as though there was nothing I could do," said Mrs Julien, of Balmoral Avenue.

The injuries to Andy were described as "very, very serious", so his parents were relieved to learn that he was to be flown home for treatment.

Mrs Julien added: "We were prepared for the worst; I honestly couldn't believe it."

After initially being treated at two hospitals in London, Andy was transferred to the Wythenshawe, which has a specialist plastic surgery department.

Mrs Julien added: "It will be a very long process for Andy to make a full recovery. He has metal pins in his leg, and has had a really hard time.

"But his spirits are high and hopefully he will make a good recovery over the next few months."

Andy's father, Trevor, has organised a fundraiser for his son with friends and colleagues from his workplace, Group 4 Security, on Hyde Road, Gorton.

His younger brother Anton, 9, also made sure he showed his support by getting classmates and teachers at Heaton Park Primary School to sign a "get well" card.