Powerful message as Karl Hinett's scars laid bare

Although Karl was so badly injured in Iraq that he had to learn to walk again, the word 'unscarred' is emblazoned on his torso as a reminder of his determination to overcome his wounds.

It is a simple, powerful word summing up the spirit of a man who has gone on to run countless marathons in aid of charity, now candidly displayed framed by his shocking scars in a new book by rock star Bryan Adams.

Karl, formerly of Tipton and who now lives in Dudley, was invited by Adams to be part of a collection of striking portraits of injured soldiers called Bryan Adams Exposed in Dusseldorf.

And now the singer has launched a book featuring more images called Wounded: The Legacy of War.

As a private with the Staffordshire Regiment, Karl, 26, suffered severe burns to his hands, legs, arms and face in the bombing in 2005 in Iraq.

His injuries were so bad he had to painstakingly learn to walk again. But he battled back to compete in dozens of gruelling challenges to raise money for the hospital that treated him, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

Around two years ago he was approached by the Canadian to pose in the pictures.

He said: "I have to admit it was quite an unusual email I got from him, but as I read the details I realised I wanted to take part. He wanted to capture images of soldiers after war, and it was a really interesting and exciting project to be part of."

He spent most of the morning with the star at his studio, and even had breakfast with him. He said: "He is a really genuine and down-to-earth guy, and really very accommodating, making me feel welcome. It was very relaxed, and he was very clear about what he wanted."

Karl posed topless for the star putting his burnt and badly scarred skin on full display, as well as his distinctive tattoos.

He added: "He is known mostly for his music, but he is a really very good photographer and was very professional." Karl was photographed individually but was one of 25 injured soldiers to take part in the project.

He said: "Looking back it was quite a bizarre experience being photographed by Bryan Adams, but I am really pleased I did it. It was a bit odd posing, but he kept it quite relaxed and put me at ease."

The book was launched earlier this month and is a collection of photographs and first-person accounts from servicemen and women who have cheated death whilst serving their country in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The photography for the book was taken by Bryan Adams and the words were edited by ITN journalist Caroline Froggatt who first approached Bryan with the idea to do something to help wounded soldiers in 2008. The book has taken five years to make and includes more than 100 photographs of 40 wounded servicemen.

It is published by German publishers Steidl and cost £50. Proceeds from the book will go to the services charities BLESMA, Blind Veterans UK, Combat Stress, SSAFA and War Child.