TWO sculptures created by military veterans will go on show in Leigh and Wigan as part of a display depicting their lives after leaving the armed forces.

The artwork will be displayed at the Turnpike Centre in Leigh and Wigan Life Centre from Thursday after being unveiled in an exhibition at the Lowry Hotel.

Bravo 22 Company, a Royal British Legion recovery through arts programme, is behind the works.

Veterans from Greater Manchester created striking pieces which will go on display across the borough in the coming months around their personal experiences of handling their mental and physical health on leaving the armed forces.

The artwork fits in with Wigan Council’s #BelieveImOnlyHuman campaign, which is aimed at celebrating the diverse mix of the borough’s residents.

Andrea Taylor-Haynes and Angie Deopersad are behind one of the sculptures.

Andrea served in the Royal Navy from 1987 to 1989 and was later diagnosed with the condition lupus.

Angie is Andrea’s full-time carer and the pair collaborated on their piece.

Andrea said: “This sculpture feels very personal, and working on a combined piece with Angie helps me to express the support she gives me.”

Angie added: “I want people to see the real me in this sculpture, and the connection between Andrea and I.”

The second sculpture has been created by Dave Joddrell, who served as an armourer for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers from 1969 to 1976.

During his time in service he toured Northern Ireland twice, was stationed in Cyprus and finished in the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards.

After leaving the Army Dave became a maintenance engineer, using the skills he had learnt in the Army.

He said: “My sculpture is based on my love of mechanisms, and shows me taking separate components and assembling them in to a finished product.

“It pretty much represents me, a ‘putter togetherer’.

The 12 sculptures have been created with guidance from professional sculptor Al Johnson.

She said: “Each of the sculptures is unique to its creator and tells a different story of recovery, from a painful memory to worries about civilian life or injuries that can’t be physically seen.”

Cllr Keith Cunliffe, portfolio holder for adult social care and health at the council, said: “We are committed to supporting veterans across the Wigan borough and recognise the great work that projects such as this do to raising the profile of schemes offering veterans a way to channel their thoughts about life in the armed forces and teach others about the work being done to help support them beyond service.”