AN army veteran showcased his strength and power at this year’s adaptive Highland Games ­— in the view of a future king.

Kilts and cabers were the theme of the day as 23 veterans took part in the Mey Games at John O’Groats in front of thousands of spectators.

Tom O’Brien, from Great Harwood, signed up to the army at 17 and served for six years with the Scots Guards, involved in deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Now 31, Mr O’Brien took part in the caber toss, shot put, as well as impressively lifting an 118kg Atlas Stone. He also managed to carry a huge rock 100 metres along a running track.

Mr O’Brien has battled with post-traumatic stress disorder, hearing loss and arthritis as a result of his time in the services.

Mr O’Brien said: “I’ve realised how vitally important sport is to my recovery, I need to set goals and work hard to achieve them. The Mey Games was perfect. The weather and the camaraderie were amazing.”

Mr O’Brien also won a bronze award in powerlifting at the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs in America last year.

This year’s games were presided by Prince Charles, who watched the final of the tug-of-war, which resulted in a victory for Help for Heroes against Police Scotland.

The Prince awarded the winning team with a selection of ales, and presented the Help for Heroes’ player’s player award.

The future king gave it to Kieran Wood, 31, from Preston, who served with the royal infantry until he suffered an acquired brain injury and muscle weakness in the right-hand side of his body following a car accident, aged 19.

Mr O’Brien added: “It was competitive but it was more about having fun and doing something a bit different, the best thing was watching guys like Kieran achieve what some might have not thought possible.”

Mark Airey, physical development coach at Help for Heroes’ recovery centre, said: “We were welcomed to the Mey Games with open arms – they looked after us very well.”