THE informal setting of the Kidderminster meetings and the expert assistance on offer have helped rebuild many ex-servicemen's trust in other people.

People who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - which used to be known as shell shock and was not properly diagnosed in the UK until the 1980s - often do not know why they are distressed.

Mark Wheway, 44, now the licensee of the Talbot pub in Bewdley, did two tours of Northern Ireland with the Parachute Regiment between 1974 and 1978.

"My best friend got blown up by a radio-controlled bicycle bomb," he said. "I'd been asked to go out on patrol but I'd had five days working in surveillance undercover.

"When I got out of the forces I didn't know what was wrong.

"I had fear attacks and went from a man who jumped out of planes to a man who lost all his confidence.

"I did used to get nightmares - once I punched my wife in my sleep."

He added: "I met Dr Jones about 18 months ago and it has definitely helped. We find it very difficult to trust people but these sessions really break down the barriers. I think they're fantastic."

Dr Jones explained: "One of the worst things for the lads is when they swap duties and another man gets killed."

He added: "It's difficult to deal with them in an ordinary setting and many of them get into stupid trouble as they can be volatile.

"A lot of ex-service guys don't even realise what it is that's affected them in the first place. The first point to getting better is to recognise what it is."

Mr Carpenter has provided a link between troubled ex-servicemen and the doctor since they met 10 years ago when he was at "rock bottom".

"He is my saviour."