A Royal Navy sailor from Chester will be marching alongside his service colleagues as part of the Ceremonial Guard at the Invictus Games in London.

Able Seaman Paraic Haughney, 26, is one of 30 sailors and submariners who will join their Royal Marine, Army and RAF colleagues in equal numbers at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London to mark the start of the Games.

Modelled on the Warrior Games – an annual sporting event for American Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS) serving personnel – the Invictus Games will see 430 wounded personnel and veterans taking part from 13 nations with 150 of those from the UK.

Paraic, who is now based in Portmsouth, said: “The training has been pretty tough, but we are all really looking forward to going to the Invictus Games and representing the Royal Navy. It is particularly important for me as I served in Afghanistan on Op Herrick 14 with 148 Commando Royal Marines and I do have friends who were killed and injured out there.

“I think it is really important that these type of events show the world what personnel can still achieve despite serious injury – it is really inspiring for all of us.”

Paraic joined the Royal Navy in 2005 and, as well as Herrick 14, deployed with Type 42 destroyer HMS Gloucester until 2009 before working in Poole with 148 Cdo.

The Guard has been trained at HMS Collingwood and has spent almost a fortnight ensuring their drill and marching skills are top notch before appearing alongside their Service counterparts and the Band of Royal Marines.

State Ceremonial Training Officer for the Royal Navy, Warrant Officer Barry Henderson has been in charge of training the team, of which an additional 40 are being trained for First World War Commemorations in Chatham later this month. He said: “They train with me for three weeks, of which the first week is basic training in drill, the second week is job specific – so which event they will attend – and the third is where we train the next batch for the Drumhead Ceremony taking place in Chatham.

“All will have done this type of training at the beginning of their career so it is a matter of ensuring they remember the standards necessary for the respective ceremonies.”

As well as ensuring marching and timing, the sailors must also ensure a high standard of dress with immaculate uniforms and shining boots.

The opening ceremony of the Games, which starts at 6.30pm on Wednesday, September 10, and has Prince Harry as its President, includes music form Laura Wright, a speech from Sir Keith Mills, a parade of the athletes, the parade of the Services, a Red Arrows flypast and a King’s Troop demonstration.

The games will run until Sunday where there will be a closing ceremony which includes music from the Foo Fighters.