Injured paratrooper can keep job

A paratrooper who suffered massive injuries in Afghanistan has been told he can return to his regiment in Essex.

Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, lost both legs and suffered brain damage in a 2006 landmine blast.

The soldier, from 7 Parachute Regiment at the Royal Horse Artillery, always said he wanted to stay in the forces.

Now the Ministry of Defence has said he will not be discharged from duty and can return to his Colchester base.

L/ Bbr Parkinson has been described as the most severely-injured soldier to survive.

He uses prosthetic legs, but has lost the use of one arm, the power of speech and much of his memory.

Walked unaided

The soldier was initially awarded a £152,000 lump sum in compensation.

By comparison, an RAF servicewoman who was left disabled after damaging her thumb received a payout of £484,000.

His mother Diane Dernie campaigned against the amount, and earlier this year the MoD changed its regulations and L/Bdr Parkinson's compensation went up to £285,000.

L/Bdr Parkinson had expected a discharge from the Army next month, but now his family say he has been told he will remain.

After learning he will stay in the Army L/Bdr Parkinson stood for the first time unaided.

He then walked four lengths of a gym in Doncaster, where he is receiving physiotherapy.

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