A soldier who was told he would never walk again has completed the London Marathon on crutches.

Major Phil Packer walked across the finish line in The Mall, central London, two weeks after beginning the world-famous race.

The 36-year-old was told he would never walk again after he lost the use of his legs following a rocket attack in Basra, Iraq, last February.

But he recovered enough strength to begin the marathon on April 26 and notched up two miles a day.

The Royal Military Police Officer has raised more than £600,000 for veterans' charity Help For Heroes and hopes to top £1 million.

The soldier, who has also served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland, has already undertaken a series of sporting challenges including rowing the English Channel in just over 15 hours and completing a sky dive.

He met by British olympic hero Sir Steve Redgrave and a crowd of cheering supporters at the finish line in St James's Park.

Asked if he was suffering physically after the gruelling feat, Major Packer said: "I don't think you really think about it, because you're thinking about why you're doing it.

"There are a lot of people who can't do this and this is for them."