Football legend Gary Lineker has helped launch a campaign which offers members of the Armed Forces free tickets to sports and music events.

Thousands of tickets will be available to military personnel and veterans discharged through injury since 2001.

Tickets have been donated for football and cricket matches, boxing contests, snooker, horse-racing, theatre and concerts.

A donation of £1 will be requested for every ticket, which will be distributed across service charities.

Lineker, who visited Helmand, in Afghanistan, last month, said he was humbled by the difficult conditions and intense heat in which British troops have to work.

"However tough you think it might be out there, actually being there and seeing what is going on and the conditions out there, it's 10 times worse than you can possibly imagine."

Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry, awarded the VC for his courageous acts in Iraq, was at the launch, with Conservative Party leader David Cameron.

He said: "This is a fantastic idea and it is heartening for any soldier or ex-soldier to know people appreciate their work."

www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk