HELMAND TO THE HIMALAYAS by David Wiseman, £8.99

ISBN 978-1-4728-0913-1

THE Afghan conflict has thrown up many stories of heroism and stoicism - and this dramatic story of David Wiseman's journey from the hell of Helmand province to the daunting slopes of Mount Everest is, perhaps, one of the most inspirational.

The North Yorkshire officer, whose family originally hails from Heversham near Milnthorpe, reveals how his serious injury from a Taliban bullet wound to his chest left him fighting to rebuild his life - both physically and psychologically.

But he was a relatively lucky survivor. Just weeks before he had been on the scene of one of the most devastating attacks on British soldiers in Afghanistan, witnessing the horrific aftermath of an attack on unsuspecting troops by a rogue element of the Afghan police.

The attack left five soldiers dead and a further nine men wounded.

Co-written with Nick Harding, Helmand to the Himalayas is a remarkable testament to human survival and our capacity for renewal.

Told with seering honesty, David reveals how tackling Everest with the Walking With The Wounded charity, finally gave him the renewed sense of purpose and pride he so desperately needed.

ALLAN TUNNINGLEY