A KELTY army veteran is aiming for the Paralympics in Rio after enjoying a "trip of a lifetime" to Sochi.

Lee Aitchison, a former military vehicle mechanic, spent 10 days attending the Winter Paralympic Games after being selected for the British Paralympic Association's Paralympic Inspiration Programme, which gives aspiring athletes the chance to experience the unique atmosphere and environment of the event.

The 27-year-old former Beath High School pupil was talent spotted for pistol shooting after taking part in a skills test event at the Help for Heroes Tedworth House Recovery Centre in Wiltshire and was one of eight athletes chosen to make the trip to Russia.

Lee, a former rugby player who has completed two tours of Afghanistan, has been confined to a wheelchair since October 2010 when a twisted ankle sustained on a military skills exercise developed into Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - a rare, progressive and incurable condition that causes extreme hypersensitivity.

But despite his condition, he continues to enjoy sport and said, "It was amazing to be there especially to see Britain go into the history books. I'd been to an Olympic event before in London but not on the scale that it was over there, where we had access to the VIP balconies which is something money can't buy. I was pretty motivated to try and make it to Rio before I went but this has given me a bigger boost.

"It showed the level that I need to aspire to. We were given presentations by sports psychologists and although they are massive different events at the Winter Paralympics, the preparation is the same and more than I thought. To get to Rio I think would be amazing and quite overwhelming." Help for Heroes are assisting Lee, who now lives in Airdrie Linda and daughters Danika (six), Melissa (five) and Hope (21 months), with funding towards an air pistol and he continued, "I went to Tidworth to try out wheelchair-based sports such as basketball and it was only when I was leaving that I spotted the shooting stand and thought I might as well have a go while I was there. I always enjoyed it when serving and I was very quickly assigned a coach and I meet up with him three times every month.

"He is quite old school, very strict, but is the best in the UK so I am quietly confident of hitting the qualifying score. The competition is quite fierce but in disability sport, anyone who can make it to whatever level they have is amazing. Before my accident I was a very confident guy but afterwards it took a massive dent. I had to adapt from being able to use my legs to not and it is a big thing, but it is easier now as I've accepted it and I'm getting back to the old me.

"There's no better release for me than shooting and it's made me hungry to achieve Olympic status. It would be amazing if I could bring home a medal but I'd be absolutely buzzing just to go out there."