Prince Harry keeps war hero's spirits up during injury claim

Royal Marine Ben McBean has been touched by the support of kind-hearted Prince Harry, who has backed the injured soldier's fight to improve compensation for wounded troops in Afghanistan.

Ben, who was given £281,150 after he lost his left arm and right leg in a 2008 Afghanistan blast, is appealing for a greater payout.

"I'm not asking for £10million or anything stupid. I'd just like to be able to get the help I need now and in the future," the 22-year-old says.

Prince Harry said he was "humbled" by Marine Ben's bravery after the pair shared a flight home from Afghanistan, and has branded him a "real hero".

"He's supporting me," says Ben of the young Prince. "He often writes me a note of support."

Clearly building a strong bond between them, Harry once sent along a crate of beer to Ben, after he lost a bet on whether the Marine could scale a climbing wall.

Ben, who could see his compensation fund raised to £570,000, has had his hearing adjourned to a later date.

Photo: © Rex