WOUNDED and traumatised war veterans will help create livery for Formula One cars at a new workshop near Wantage.

Forces rehabilitation charity Mission Motorsport officially opened the new unit at its base in East Challow at the end of June.

Ex-service personnel working in the livery and vinyl production business will be mentored by Lotus F1 head of livery Joe McNamara and get to see their work out on the track.

Among them is Lance Corporal David Colman, formerly of 4 regiment, 4 Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps, based at Abingdon’s Dalton Barracks.

Following a 2007 tour to Afghanistan he became severely ill and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis – a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease.

Further health complications arose in the following years and in 2012 he was medically discharged.

Fearing that he would not find future employment, he then discovered Mission Motorsport.

The 30-year-old who lives in Great Western Park, Didcot, with his wife Ruth, said: “I was in a really bad way emotionally, feeling hugely let down by the system.

“All my skills and qualifications were for jobs that I could simply no longer do.

“That’s when my employment consultant put me in touch with Mission Motorsport.”

Through that connection he was offered a work placement with Caterham F1, which ultimately led to permanent employment through Mission Motorsport.

He said: “Mission Motorsport hadn’t just found me a job, but rebuilt my self-confidence through the whole process.

“Without the help that I’ve received I believe I would still be stuck at home, feeling hopeless and struggling to find employment.

“While nothing can change what I have been through, this opportunity is the first time in six years I can truly say that I believe my future is positive.”

Mr Colman will also be mentored by Wantage Chamber of Commerce chairman Richard Shepherd, owner of Motorlux car dealership.

Surrey-based construction firm Thakeham built the new workshop free of charge.

Mission Motorsport CEO James Cameron, a former major, said he was “hugely proud” to be launching the new workshop with what he called “world-class facilities”.

He founded the charity in 2012 to help aid the recovery and rehabilitation of WIS – wounded, injured or sick – service personnel.

So far it has helped more than 320 servicemen find employment in motorsport.