A TEENAGE squaddie whose leg was blown up by an Iraqi landmine has vowed to be a soldier again.

Private Christopher Thompson, who endured months of painful surgery after doctors were forced to amputate his badly injured leg below the knee, was injured when on patrol in Iraq.

But the 19-year-old has battled to walk again and fitted with a prosthetic limb completed a gruelling mile long hike on Hadrian's Wall to raise money for disabled soldiers.

Accompanied on the trek by 1966 World Cup winner Jack Charlton, Chris said: "I'm going to join up again, as soon as I can.

"I'll not be able to be a frontline soldier but I hope I can learn to be a driver or something like that."

Chris, who was a pupil at Bishop Barrington School, completed the walk to raise money for the British Limbless Ex Servicemen's Association charity.

He said: "The way I see it, I lost the leg but that has happened now and is in the past. I have to get on with my life and move forward."

Doctors were forced to amputate Chris' leg to avoid the risk of fatal infection.

His parents Tom and Dorothy, live in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Mr Thompson said: "It was difficult telling him that losing a leg was the safest option.

"Although there have been hard times and he gets upset from time to time, he has stayed fairly upbeat.

Pte Thompson, known as Chrissy, joined the Light Infantry 1st Battalion when he was 16 and had been on security duty in the Basra area since December 19.

His troop was travelling back to Camp Abu Naji from escort duty in Al Amarah, on March 11, when the mine exploded.

Major Nobby Noble said: "I spoke to Private Thompson not long after he had his leg removed and the first thing he said was 'the last couple of months have been an amazing adventure'.

"From a lad of his age, who has experienced the things he has, that is nothing but admirable."

Pte Thompson's family, many of whom live in the same street, plan to raise funds to aid his recovery.

His uncle Roy Gallimore said: "We know the most important thing is that Chrissy is alive and will survive this accident. A lot of soldiers have not been as lucky and their sacrifice cannot be forgotten."