Injured Shropshire soldier Simon Vaughan to move into new home

A Shropshire soldier badly injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan is set to complete his long-awaited move into his new £100,000 home in June.

Corporal Simon Vaughan, of Hodnet, returned to the county for the first time in two-and-a-half years last month and marked the occasion with a party on Saturday.

He was joined by 150 friends and family.

The party was held at Hodnet Social Club, where Simon also celebrated his 27th birthday.

His wife Donna revealed the family, including their son Ben, would be able to move into their new bungalow at Ercall Heath, near Newport, by the second week of June.

Speaking at the party, she said: "It is fantastic to see so many people coming here today supporting Simon.

"He has really been looking forward to today. He not only wanted to celebrate his birthday, his return home, but also just being alive.

"It has been great having him back in Shropshire and we can't wait to move into the new house, which will hopefully be in the second week of June.

"It means we can get on with living a normal life.

"I want to thank everyone who has helped support us and we are really grateful for the donations received."

Mr Vaughan, who is currently living at a care home in Newport, suffered a serious brain injury after the vehicle he was travelling in drove over an unexploded bomb in December 2008.

Now Simon is battling his way back to health and defying the doctors who treated him in the wake of the explosion.

They warned he might never be able to breathe unaided and could remain in a vegetative state.

However, a determined Mr Vaughan, who was tipped by top brass for a role in the SAS, has overcome the odds and is now alert and breathing for himself.

His mum, Lynne, said: "This is a day we thought we would never see.

"Despite his injuries, we remained confident he was there somewhere and he seems to recognise everybody who has come up to him."

Louise Welch, his auntie, added that it was "marvellous" to have Simon back home.

The family's new bungalow is being specially adapted to meet Simon's needs.

By James Pugh