AN EAST Lancashire soldier has been left devastated after being diagnosed with bowel disease and told he cannot return to frontline duties.

Corporal Daniel Fort, 31, of Burnley, has been forced to retrain following the diagnosis in January.

The 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster's Regiment soldier said it has taken him time to get his head around his new role.

He now repairs vehicles damaged while on operations across Helmand province.

The dad-of-two sons Jamie, 11, and Toby, eight, is on tour in Afghanistan, based in Camp Bastion.

He said moving into vehicle repairs was one way he could still protect soldiers in action.

Corp Fort, who joined the army 12 years ago, said: “I was diagnosed with bowel disease in January and until then I had been on the frontline.

“The army is all I have known since I was 18. I'm on the back burner now and I feel left out. I miss being with the lads.

“The bond on the frontline is even closer than in camp.

“It's frustrating when I see the stuff that’s happening to my mates.”

He added: “My job is still very important. If I can’t go back on the frontline I want the lads to be safe in the vehicles.

“I do everything I can to make sure that happens.”

* Click on the link below for more stories by Nafeesa Shan in Afghanistan.