'Some sort of fairy tale' soldier in shock after receiving UK's first mind-controlled arm

A SOLIDER whose arm was blown off in Afghanistan has become the first person in the UK to receive a mind-controlled prosthetic limb.

INCREDIBLE: Corporal Andrew Garthwaite lost his arm in Afghanistan but has learned how to operate his bionic arm [PA]

Corporal Andrew Garthwaite, 26, lost his arm when a rocket propelled grenade exploded during an operation in Helmand, Afghanistan, in 2010.

But now he has benefited from a revolutionary form of surgery which involved the rewiring of his nerve system.

Cpl Garthwaite, from South Shields, said: "When I first got told about the operation I thought it was some sort of fairy tale, that someone was taking the mickey.

"But here I am today with this arm that is fitted and works off my mind. It's unbelievable."

RARE: Only two centres in the world are able to perform the operation to instal the bionic arm [PA]

“When I first got told about the operation I thought it was some sort of fairy tale, that someone was taking the mickey”

Corporal Andrew Garthwaite

Defence Minister Anna Soubry, who met with the soldier today, added: "It is the stuff of almost science fiction coming to reality."

Cpl Garthwaite is the first person in the country to undergo the procedure known as Targeted Muscle Reinnervation.

The amazing operation involves rewiring the patient's nerve system so that nerves which originally controlled the person's arm and hand were redirected to his chest muscles.

The procedure is so new and complex there are currently only two centres in the world which are able to carry out this type of surgery - one in Chicago and the other in Vienna.

Cpl Garthwaite's operation was carried out in Vienna in 2011 at a cost of £60,000, paid for by the Ministry of Defence.

RPG: Cpl Andrew Garthwaite had his arm blown off by a rocket propelled grenade in Afghanistan [PA/GETTY]

The war veteran has spent 18 months learning how to operate his new arm with his mind by focusing his thoughts.

Today he demonstrated his ability to carry out every day tasks such as potting a plant and making a jam sandwich.

"It has been a really long journey, enjoyable in some places but frustrating in others," he said.

"I'm just glad it's coming to an end on Friday.

"I'm going to have a nice Christmas with the family and my wife. I'd like to go in to TV presenting in the future. Whatever doors open, I'm looking forward to what is out there."

The 26-year-old was praised by one of the men responsible for his rehabilitation.

Tim Jones, a rehabilitation consultant at Headley Court who treated Cpl Garthwaite, said: "He's shown incredible resilience to get to today. You have to rewrite your whole brain.

"There is no reason why this shouldn't be allowed on the NHS too."