A soldier who lost his legs in a explosion in Afghanistan has been described as an inspiration by the organisers of an extreme challenge dubbed “the obstacle race from hell”.

Lance Bombardier James Simpson, 27, of Rawdon, is set to be the first double amputee to take part in a Spartan Race event.

Spartan Race is an open country run punctuated with a range of punishing, surprise obstacles – from mud crawls and ice-pit plunges to cargo-net climbs and fire-log leaps.

L/Bdr Simpson was serving with 5th Regiment Royal Artillery when he stepped on an improvised explosive device as he returned from a foot patrol in Helmand. He lost his legs above the knee and also damaged his arms in the blast in November 2009.

Now he is training for Spartan Race in woods close to his home where he is trying to match his different prosthetics with the terrain and obstacles the event will throw at him.

He has been using his running blades – shortened versions of those used by Paralympics track athletes – and what he calls his stubbies, which are small pads that fit on the bottom of what is left of his thighs.

L/Bdr Simpson said he plans to carry both at the event next month and swap them when necessary using an Allen key.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” he said. “It’s not so much the run I’m really worried about, it’s getting over the obstacles.

“I’m going to be a lot shorter because of my blades. I’m going to have to rely on my arms and my legs.

“I want every step to be my own. I don’t want to rely on my team to get me over obstacles.”

L/Bdr Simpson is starting with the Spartan York Sprint on September 8 near Ripon which features more than 25 obstacles over a 5km course.

Race director of Spartan Race UK former Royal Marines Commando Richard Lee said: “James’s inspirational example is very moving.

“By enrolling in his first Spartan Race, he is showing great courage and setting a new British record by becoming our first double amputee to run a UK Spartan Race.

“He is a perfect example of what we stand for at Spartan Race.”

L/Bdr Simpson, who is leaving the Army in September to become a student, is hoping his participation will raise money for the national armed forces charity SSAFA.

His money-raising website can be found at justgiving.com/James-Simpson13. More details about Spartan Race can be found at spartanrace.com.