A PARATROOPER who lost three limbs in an explosion will compete in the Dakar rally.

Corporal Tom Neathway, of 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, has teamed up with other wounded troops to form the Race2Recovery team.

The rally race, which starts on Saturday, will see the troops travelling 6,000 miles across Peru, Argentina and Chile.

They are expected to reach the finish line on January 19.

Cpl Neathway lost both his legs and his left arm in 2008 when a booby trap bomb exploded when he was on tour in Afghanistan.

He will drive the rally car with Capt Anthony Harris, of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Money raised from the challenge will go towards the personnel recovery centre Tedworth House, in Wiltshire.