BEAR Grylls invited members of a New Forest-based charity Pilgrim Bandits backstage when he performed at the Bournemouth International Centre.

The explorer brought his Mud, Sweat and Tears tour to the stage last week and afterwards met members of the team including patron Ben Parkinson.

Ben, who is from Doncaster, Yorkshire, lost both his legs when he was blown up while on duty in Afghanistan in 2006.

Extreme adventurer Bear, who shot to fame with the TV show Man Vs Wild, is a former member of the SAS reserve, who was almost paralysed in a parachute accident in 1996.

Adam Scott, of the Pilgrim Bandits said, “Bear has been a supporter of the charity because of his Special Forces background and it shares his extreme adventure ethos.

“It was a terrific night out.”

The Bandits was formed by former members of the special forces and now takes wounded servicemen and fundraisers on adventure challenges around the world.