A Cumbrian soldier has been selected to take part in Prince Harry’s Invictus Games.

The GB team was announced at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday and Corporal Luke Reeson will fly out to America next month.

Six hundred people from 15 different countries will take part.

Luke, 28, of Cockermouth, who was shot in Afghanistan, said: "It's brilliant, I cannot wait."

He took part in the first games held two years ago and picked up five medals. 

He said: "It inspired so many people last time, it's great to see a lot of new guys taking part.

"It was the springboard for me into competitive sport, hopefully it will do the same for the next generation."

Luke, who took part in trials for the games in January and February, travelled to London for Prince Harry's Invictus Games launch at Buckingham Palace.

Luke said: "It was great. I have stood outside the palace but never been in. It was a bit crazy, lots of tourists were taking pictures of us."

He has been training hard at Cockermouth Sports Centre, alongside swimming stars Luke Greenbank and Edward Baxter, with coaches Eleanor Walsh and Sean Balmer. 

He has been taking part in club championships as well as county and national events.

Later this month he will go to Glasgow and compete for a place in the Rio Paralympics.

Related:   Soldier's five-medal haul at Invictus Games

Luke, who lives at Kirkfell Avenue with girlfriend Rebecca Sowerby, serves with the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

"They have been supporting me to train full time at Cockermouth. It's all been going well and I have to start tapering now," said Luke.

The former Keswick School pupil returned to swimming – a sport which he excelled at as a child – as part of his recovery after twice being injured by the Taliban while serving in Afghanistan.

In Orlando, Luke will compete in 50m and 100m back, breast and freestyle.