Prince Harry to join Walking with the Wounded trek

Afghanistan veteran Prince Harry is to join five wounded service personnel for part of their 1,000-mile (1,609km) trek around Britain later this year.

The Walk of Britain is designed to raise awareness of Walking with the Wounded - the charity helping injured members of the armed forces back into independence.

The prince confirmed his involvement as he met participants in London.

He said he was "delighted" to join them for a small part of the journey.

The prince joined a charity trek to the South Pole in 2013

It was confirmed on Tuesday that the prince would end his military service in June after a four-week secondment to the Australian Defence Force in April and May.

Speaking of his participation in the trek, Prince Harry said: "I'm delighted to say that I will be joining the team for a small part of their journey and I'm hugely looking forward to it."

The prince said Walking with the Wounded "has given men and women the opportunity to push themselves to extremes in some of the most inhospitable places on Earth - both the Poles and Mount Everest."

He added: "The challenge we are launching today, although closer to home, is no less formidable in scale - walking 1,000 miles around Britain.

"The public's support for our armed forces continues to be extraordinary. However, as the memory of our military commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan fade, we must encourage people to continue supporting our servicemen and women, particularly those who are seeking to transition into civilian life."