A ROYAL Marine commando who cheated death serving in Afghanistan says he is looking forward to his new life as he readies himself to be discharged.

Liam Brentley, 29, was severely wounded on his first tour of Afghanistan in 2010 when a bullet, fired by an insurgent, missed his helmet and entered his head by his ear, exiting through the back of his head.

The attack in the dangerous Helmand Province left him receiving surgery to remove part of his skull, brain and jaw.

His injuries have left him deaf in his left ear and with memory loss.

Now, he will be medically discharged from the Royal Marines on July 9 next year.

The father-of-five, of of Coleridge Gardens, Idle, is swapping the Marines for the sports pitch, as he will be coaching Dudley Hill's under sevens side, a rugby league club he played for before he was shot in Afghanistan. He will also help out with the club's first team on matchdays.

Marine Brentley also praised his family, his wife Samantha, step-children Katelyn, 14, Alfie, ten, and children Joey, six, Isabella, four and Samantha, two for their continued support.

He has also been undergoing rehabilitation at Hasler company in Plymouth, which he has nearly completed.

He said: "I'm gutted to be leaving the Marines but my career was just not meant to be.

"I can't just sit there and dwell on the past. I have to look forward. There's no point in moaning.

"I have had a lot of dark days, you can't look back.

"It's just a shame my Marines career ended in the way it did.

"I have to live for the here and now and be thankful for what I've got.

"My career has gone, I've come to that realisation now. I need to focus on my family now.

"Next year is going to be a bit of a change for me."

Meanwhile, Marine Brentley took further steps to a sporting future this year by competing in the Invictus Games in September.

There he faced 26 other archers from the United Kingdom, US and Australia as more than 400 competitors from 13 nations took part in the Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, which was the brainchild of Prince Harry.

Despite not making the last 16 of the mixed individual compound open category of the archery competition at the event, Marine Brentley enjoyed the experience.

He only took up archery a year ago at Bronte Archers, based at Rawdon Meadows, Apperley Bridge.

Marine Brentley added: "It was a big shock to see all of the support.

"It was really good to take part in the Invictus Games.

"Archery is a hobby of mine that I'd like to continue to pursue."