A TRAUMATISED army veteran who turned to art to help confront his demons has seen his work go on display.

Having several years ago attempted suicide, Graham Limb’s troubles have been many. But he has now teamed up with the Royal British Legion to aid his recovery.

Mr Limb, 42, from Haslingden, created a life-size sculpture to explain his experiences as part of Bravo 22, an RBL project that counters post-conflict conditions.

Along with 12 other novice sculptors, his work has enjoyed a two-week run in an exhibition that ends today at Salford’s Lowry Hotel.

MORE TOP STORIES:

He said: “My sculpture shows me feeling broken, sitting with my head in my hands, hood up, not being able to take any more of what’s going on in my head.

“Inside are representations of myself of old – a proud soldier, a firefighter, me trying to comfort myself and wake me up to what I’ve achieved, and where I am now.

“My sculpture is dedicated to my six-year-old daughter, Tiffany. “

Mr Limb joined the British Army at 16 but had to leave after six months. He then joined the Croatian army in Bosnia, at 17, but left after seeing his closest friend shot.

He then joined the French Foreign Legion at 18 and went back to Bosnia in 1994. He was due to return to France but had a serious motorbike accident, which put him out of action for a year.

He then had a normal civilian life selling cars, but in 2005 he realised a life-long ambition and became a firefighter. But in November 2006 he was involved in a traumatic incident that ended his career, for which he won a bravery commendation.

Mr Limb considers that incident, which he doesn’t like to speak about, as the start of his post-traumatic stress disorder. It triggered memories of traumas from his military life and he attempted suicide in 2010.

Now in happier time, Mr Limb worked with other participants under the guidance of professional sculptor Al Johnson.

She said: “This has been a really exciting opportunity. It has been life-changing for some of them.”