BRYNMAWR gave the “biggest send off yet” to six wounded war veterans who are tackling a 1,000 walk around Britain to raise awareness of combat injuries.

Hundreds of school children and members of the public gathered to cheer on the four British and two American soldiers who are taking on the challenge for charity Walking with the Wounded.

Organisers said the Brynmawr crowd was the biggest it has been across the UK and already £2,500 has been raised for the charity – the most raised by any area in the UK.

Backed by Prince Harry, Walking with the Wounded aims to help injured members of the armed forces back into independence and have organised the 1,000 mile Walk of Britain.

Yesterday the six wounded veterans began the Gwent leg of the walk.

Setting off at St Mary’s Church in Brynmawr, they walked along King Street, Beaufort Street and Market Square before heading to the Brecon Beacons to climb Pen-Y-Fan.

They were joined in Brynmawr by around 20 soldiers from the army reserve barracks in Abertillery, 50 soldiers from the Royal Artillery as well as hordes of school children from local schools.

Alec Robotham, from Portsmouth, is one of the six wounded veterans who is completing the 1,000 mile feat.

He served in Afghanistan in 2010 and was injured by a suicide bomber with a blast to his leg, foot and arm but fortunately no limbs had to be amputated.

The former Royal Marine said: “Pen-Y-Fan will be our fourth mountain. The weather’s been kind to us today. It’s been a good day.”

The Brynmawr cinema was open for refreshments and Blaenau Gwent's MP Nick Smith and mayor Derrick Bevan also attended.

Mr Smith MP said: “It was brilliant to welcome these real life heroes to Brynmawr and fantastic to see the response from local people.

“I wish them well on their walk up Pen-y-Fan mountain today and I was pleased to give them a Welsh flag to carry on their journey.

“Well done to the local people who dug deep to support this worthwhile local charity.”

Mayor of Blaenau Gwent, Councillor Derrick Bevan said: “It was an excellent turn out. All the schools came, it was wonderful.

“They raised a few shillings which it was all about. I think the community enjoyed, there were lots of flags being waved.”