Tough Dartmouth soldier Cayle Royce is starting to rebuild his life after his body was shattered by a Taliban bomb just 11 weeks ago.

The 25-year-old soldier lost both his legs and suffered a broken neck, facial injuries and serious injuries to his left hand in an IED explosion during a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan.

He spent five and a half weeks in a coma in hospital in the UK.

Today Cayle is being treated at the world-renowned rehabilitation unit at Headley Court in Surrey where he will learn to walk again.

A fortnight ago he met Prince Charles as he toured the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. And a week ago he was at the Farnborough Air Show as a guest of the Red Arrows.

His mother Bronwyn, who works and lives in Dartmouth and has spent the last 11 weeks at special accommodation to be near her son, is due to return home next week.

She said: 'His survival and recovery has been nothing short of miraculous – thanks to the immediate response at the scene of the incident by the guys in his troop; the medics who picked him up from the ground ands flew him back to Camp Bastion; the surgeons at Camp Bastion; as well as the incredible surgeons, medical staff and equipment available at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.'

Cayle began serving with B Squadron, the Light Dragoon, in Helmand, Afghanistan on April 2, carrying out reconnaissance work as part of a 30-strong specialised group of highly trained soldiers involved in dangerous raids on Taliban IED factories.

On May 2, his troop was on the way back from a successful raid when they were ambushed.

While under attack, Cayle moved into position behind a tree and stepped on an IED.

His severe injuries also included the partial amputation of his fingers and thumb on his left hand, the total amputation of his index finger and a broken right femur.

Cayle spent 10 weeks in the Birmingham hospital – more than half of them in a coma.

His mother said: 'Although the damages to his extremities are severe, the main complications came from the blast damage he received to his lungs and heart.

'Sadly due to the high number of casualties who come through Queen Elizabeth Hospital with similar injuries, the doctors and surgeons have some experience in these areas but they were quick to tell us that there are no textbooks to refer to in this field.

'They also told us that if Cayle had sustained these injuries two years ago he would not have survived.' She described the military support as 'outstanding' and added: 'I would like to thank those of you who have sent messages of support and comfort and to the many of you who have prayed for him.'

She added: 'Just 11 weeks after the incident Cayle is now at the world-renowned Headley Court in Surrey where he has begun his rehabilitation.

'The road ahead will be a difficult one for Cayle but I have no doubt he will make a success of his life.'

She said that people had been asking about making donations towards Cayle's rehabilitation and she said that, with the help of two friends, an account has been opened at the Post Office in the names of Ms KE Cooper and Mrs KE Baker – account number 52624288, sort code 90-78-68, reference Cayle.

'We very much appreciate the kindness to help his long road back to recovery,' she added.