A VETERAN has turned to hip-hop music to help him deal with the horrors he experienced at war in Afghanistan.

Former Royal Marine Craig Breen, of Pike Avenue, Atherton, lost friends in the conflict and has struggled to cope with day-to-day life since returning to civvy street four years ago.

The 26-year-old developed a drinking problem and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2015.

But the Save Our Soldier charity, which supports PTSD sufferers, has helped him to channel his memories in a positive way and he now has a blossoming music career, performing in front of thousands of people at festivals and preparing to release his first EP in September.

Craig, whose stage name is Impulse, said: “I have written poetry since I was 13, including when I was in Afghanistan. It helped me cope with losing my friends.

“My head was going crazy and writing helped me.

“I sent some of the lyrics I had written to a support worker from the Save Our Soldier charity and when he read them he said they were really good and I should look at making my own music."

The qualified plasterer has been producing songs with the help of Vicious Hippy Studios and has performed at various festivals, including at the Brodstock Music Festival in Halifax on Saturday.

Craig said: “Everything I write is true to my life and the experiences I have had in the war and my journey of coming to terms with it afterwards.

“I have ups and downs at the moment but life is about perseverance, resilience and bouncing back.

“I try to write lyrics everyone can relate to, rather than just people who have served in the Army.

“I have received messages from people thanking me for my music and telling me it has made them feel better about their lives, which is great to hear.”

Craig's music career is managed by his dad Adrian.

For the moment he has modest aspirations of buying his dad a Range Rover and his mum a bungalow.

To download Impulse’s music visit bit.ly/2s7Ypxi.

For more information about the Save Our Soldier charity go online at saveoursoldier.co.uk.