A BRAVE soldier who lost both his legs after stepping on an explosive in Afghanistan is learning to walk again using prosthetic legs.

Gregg Stevenson, 24, has surpassed doctors’ expectations and made amazing progress.

The green beret army commando, who serves with the 24 Engineer Regiment, was in Helmand Province on foot patrol looking for mines on the front line when he was injured in early March.

Since returning to Britain, Gregg has spent six weeks at Headly Court rehabilitation Centre in Surrey, where he has been undergoing intense physiotherapy.

During this time he has also met the Queen and the stars of the England rugby union team.

Gregg said the rehabilitation had been going very well and he was determined to walk unaided on his new legs, with the aim of getting back to the front line in 12 months.

Former Colne Park High School pupil Gregg said: “I can’t believe how far I have come. I have been walking with prosthetic legs but can only keep them on for a few hours because they’re causing me to have sores on my legs.

“I’m just getting used to them and building up the time I can walk with them on. Hopefully they will mould to fit me better.

“I’m doing much better than doctors expected. They didn’t think I would be able to walk with them for quite a while.

“As soon as I can walk with them without crutches I will be able to get a pair to do sports in.

“I have to take every day as it comes but I really hope when I can walk well enough without crutches so I can get back to the front line.”

Gregg had also completed an assessment to drive using his new legs and he is hoping to get a specially adapted car with hand controls in the next few months.

Now back at home in Foulridge for a visit, he is also planning to raise money for war hero charity Help for Heroes.

He added: “I’m hoping to put on a black tie ball at the end of summer.

“I’m wanting local businesses to sponsor the tables and have a DJ on and a raffle.

“I’m also thinking about putting on a short film about what’s going on in Afghanistan on a day to day basis. It’s going to be a big event with about 200 to 300 people coming.”

Gregg, who worked for two years for an Accrington charity, was just two weeks from the end of a six-month stint when the explosive device went off.

Last month, he was invited to Windsor Castle to see the military tattoo display teams and was taken into the VIP room where he met the Queen.

He also attended the rugby Guinness Premiership Awards where he met former England stars Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt.

Gregg said: “Meeting the Queen was such an honour, it is so nice to get recognition.

“She shook my hand and asked me if I had been injured in Afghanistan. Seeing the rugby was also fantastic.

“At first we were worried about talking to the England team but they came over and asked if they were okay to speak to us.

“They said it was an honour to speak to us.”