Harry leaps to the rescue for Invictus Games trialist

Prince Harry has helped rescue a wheelchair-bound woman taking part in the Invictus Games trials.

When a gust of wind blew Anna Pollock's finely-balanced racing chair over, Harry was one of the first to go to her aid.

The prince had been cheering on athletes competing for places on the UK team which will travel to the Invictus Games being staged in Florida in May.

Ms Pollock, 33, an RAF medic from Middlesbrough, had posed for a picture with Harry moments before her mishap on a wet and windy running track at the University of Bath Sports Training Village in Bath.

She said: "I wanted a picture and I thought, if I don't do it now I'm never will, so I went to get a picture (with Harry). Afterwards I was putting my gloves on when the wind took me over."

The athlete, who is hoping to represent the UK in a range of events from the 100m up to the 1500m, said: "Harry said to me 'what did you do that for?' and I said 'are you sure you had nothing to do with it?'"

The competitors have been training hard for the three-day trials which could earn them selection for the Games - a Paralympic-style championship.

Harry has been the driving force behind the Games, first staged in the UK in 2014 to great acclaim from the competitors and spectators.

It aims to challenge wounded, sick or injured service personnel, and those who have left the armed forces, to strive for sporting excellence.

The prince launched the latest Games during a visit to the US last year when he got the backing of president Barack Obama.

During a White House meeting, the American leader said the sporting event was "an initiative that is bringing together wounded warriors from around the world under the leadership of Prince Harry and others, to make sure we see not simply the sacrifices they've made, but also the incredible contributions, strength and courage they continue to display".

The trials are being run by Help for Heroes with support from the Ministry of Defence and The Royal British Legion.

The men and women taking part will compete across 10 sports for one of the 100 places available on the UK team.

Today marks 100 days to go until the start of the Invictus Games, which will be held from May 8 to 12.