A MAN who narrowly survived bullets and bombs during the Falklands conflict has backed action to support vulnerable North-East military veterans.

Colin Waite’s harrowing experiences during the conflict left him battling post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for more than 20 years.

Yesterday, the 51-year-old endorsed the Community Veterans’ Mental Health Service, a two-year pilot scheme to provide a support network for troubled ex-service personnel in the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust area. It is one of six in the country chosen for the pilot.

Mr Waite, who lives near Middleton-in-Teesdale, recalled the incident which left him struggling with PTSD.

He said: “At the time, the Argentineans had been attacking ships, so when they attacked the land forces, we weren’t expecting it.

“I saw the billowing parachute and knew it was a bomb – I remember the explosion.

“If the bomb had landed on the ground it would have killed me and 20 others, but it landed in a trench and killed two men. I live with it everyday.

“It becomes a guilt thing – I lost a lot of people I know and I feel guilty for surviving.”

Mr Waite was one of the consultees involved in shaping the Community Veterans’ Mental Health Service.

Specialist training has been given to 150 medics. It is hoped this will allow ex-service personnel suffering from mental health difficulties to be diagnosed quicker and receive care better tailored to their circumstances.

“Something has to be addressed,”

Mr Waite said.

“Ours are some of the best soldiers in the world, but we must look after them when they come home, because they don’t get paid a lot for doing it.”

The service was launched at Darlington College by Minister for Veterans Kevan Jones.

Mr Jones, who is MP for North Durham, said: “The majority of people leaving the Armed Forces have no problems, but a small proportion leave with mental health issues.

“This will provide a local focus for any veterans who have developed mental health problems.”

Andrew Drake, county manager of the Royal British Legion, said: “the interaction between GPs and ex-servicemen can be difficult, so to have a dedicated system is excellent news.”