ROMSLEY athlete Dave Watson has returned with four medals from the Invictus Games in Australia.

Watson snapped up two silver medals in the F56 one minute and four minute rowing.

He then struck gold in the discus and shot putt at the international paralympic-style event, which was first set up in 2014 by Prince Harry for sick, wounded and injured service personnel.

Joining the Army in 2008, he served with the Scots Guards. It was during a tour of Afghanistan in 2010 that he stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device), which resulted in the loss of his right arm and both legs. This life changing incident led to major surgery at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham followed by gruelling rehabilitation.

His love of sport and his Invictus Games goal have helped his recovery.

Watson was quick to insist: "It's not about the medals that you win. Everyone is there to help everybody out.

"In one event, the winner came home 10 minutes clear of his rival - but then he went back to help his rival over the line.

"That's the spirit that the Invictus Games promotes."

Watson has been competing in the discus and shot for the past six years.

He travels to Leigh near Manchester to train every week, while more locally, he is a member of Birchfield Harriers.

He said: "I travel to Leigh because my coach lives there and I train every Thursday and Friday. I compete all the year round."

Currently ranked No.1 in the UK for his category, the has no time to rest on his laurels.

He already has his sights set on the Paralympics which takes place in Toykio in two years time.

Watson added: "I've got to improve. My PB for the discus is 22.96 but I'll have to achieve around 30 metres to stand any chance of getting selected.

"I don't know yet what distance I have to obtain with the shot - but whatever it is, I've got two years to achieve it."