A BIRKENHEAD woman has been selected to represent the UK at the Invictus Games in Sydney.

Laura Knowles, 26, who was a musician in the Welsh Guards, has been selected to join the 72-strong team and will represent the UK in powerlifting and rowing.

This year's Invictus Games will take place from 20 to 28 October.

In 2016, Laura took part in her first Invictus Games and credits them with saving her life.

Laura told the Globe: "It was just after I had been medically discharged and everything in my life had been turned upside down, so it was a big step in beginning to recover my confidence, self-worth and focus.”

The talented clarinetist and saxophonist has bipolar II, borderline disorder and bulimia.

After her success with her first Invictus Games, Laura trialled for the Warrior Games, a multi-sport event for wounded, injured or sick (WIS) service personnel and veterans organised by the United States Department of Defence and after successfully making the GB team she returned with two silver medals - one for shot-put and another from the swimming team relay.

However, on her return to the UK, Laura says she felt the lowest she had ever been and this prevented her competing in the 2017 Invictus Games.

But when she saw that the registration for this year's competition open, she didn't hesitate to put herself forward.

“I instantly remembered how much the Games had helped me two years earlier and realised that I needed that back in my life to sustain the gains I have made," Laura said.

"As well as the personal achievement I feel through participating in sport, being part of a team and the sense of camaraderie, it is equally important to me in supporting my continued recovery.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to represent my country once more and will hopefully do everyone proud.

“The Invictus and Warrior Games have kept my head high above water and given me the motivation – which I lost for quite a while - to carry.

“I know there will be dips in my mental health but hopefully my memories of the competitions and looking at my Warrior Games medals will help pull me up again.”

The team will compete in 11 sports; athletics, archery, wheelchair basketball, cycling, powerlifting, indoor rowing, wheelchair rugby, swimming, sitting volleyball, wheelchair tennis and sailing.

Each athlete will continue to train from now until October in various locations across the country as part of Help for Heroes’ extensive 'Sports Recovery' programme and role to train and develop the team.

This year, 451 WIS personnel and veterans trialled for one of the 72 places available on team UK which were overseen by Prince Harry and his soon-to-be wife Meghan Markle.

Help for Heroes and chef de mission for team UK Jayne Kavanagh said: “Invictus is a powerful demonstration of the dedication these men and women displayed when they served our country.

"It is a celebration of how they confronted hardship but refused to be defined by injury or illness and they all deserve the chance to proudly serve their country once more.

"They have the opportunity to not only continue their own recovery, but to inspire others with their resilience, passion, courage and optimism.

“With more hopefuls than ever before applying to be a part of the Invictus Games in Sydney, and with 64% of the 2018 Team UK being brand new to the Games, it is evident that the legacy of the Games is strong.

"We are very proud to be working alongside these 72 athletes and wish them the best of luck as they embark on their Invictus Games journeys.”