A VETERAN from Flintshire is to represent the UK at an international sporting event.

More than 70 wounded, injured and sick (WIS) military personnel and veterans have been selected to compete at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018.

Among the competitors is 26-year-old Laura Knowles, from Penymynydd, who has been selected for powerlifting and rowing.

Miss Knowles, who was a musician in the Welsh Guards band, has bulimia, bipolar II and borderline personality disorder.

She took part in the Invictus Games in 2016 and credits them with saving her life.

Miss Knowles said: "It was just after I had been medically discharged and everything in my life had been turned upside down, so it was a big step in beginning to recover my confidence, self-worth and focus.”

Such progress encouraged Miss Knowles to trial for the Warrior Games - a multi-sport event for wounded, injured or ill service personnel and veterans organised by the United States Department of Defense - the next year.

Having successfully made the GB team, she returned not just with two silver medals, one for shot-put and the other from the swimming team relay, but with a confidence that she hadn’t had before travelling to the US.

This was followed by a challenging period, health-wise, in which she admits to feeling the lowest she has ever been and which prevented her competing in the 2017 Invictus Games.

When she received the email about this year’s competition, which takes place in October, she didn’t hesitate to register.

Miss Knowles, who now lives in Birkenhead, added: "I instantly remembered how much the Games had helped me two years earlier and realised that I needed that back in my life to sustain the gains I have made.

"As well as the personal achievement I feel through participating in sport, being part of a team and the sense of camaraderie, it is equally important to me in supporting my continued recovery.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to represent my country once more and will hopefully do everyone proud.”

Her desire to join the army gave her the incentive to lose six stones in weight.

It was only once medically-discharged though and having been given a place in last year’s Invictus Games team, that Laura recognised the importance of sport in recovery.

She added: “I look back to when I was a kid when I never thought I would lose weight, never mind get fit, and I can’t believe where I am today.

“The Invictus and Warrior Games have kept my head high above water and given me motivation.

“I know there will be dips in my mental health but hopefully my memories of the competitions and looking at my Warrior Games medals will help pull me up again.”