CONSIDERING it is only three days since he had the lower part of his right leg amputated, Dave "Aldo" Alderson is in remarkably good spirits as he speaks from his hospital bed in Sidon, southern Lebanon.

The former soldier, from Saltburn, east Cleveland, was working as a civilian weapons clearance specialist on behalf of the United Nations when he fell victim to an Israeli anti-personnel mine last Friday.

He described the events leading up to his horrific accident.

"I was out checking for sub-munitions, which are small bombs, when I heard an explosion. I rang my oppo, Damir, and he said it was not a controlled explosion by him.

"We went to this wadi, which is like a big valley full of olive groves, and shouted to see if everyone was okay. Then a goat farmer started screaming so we went down to assist him. He seemed okay, but had clearly lost some of his goats.

"We were trying to calm him down and stop him from running around. The next thing I knew, my ears were ringing and I was picking myself up off the ground. I felt a tingle in my leg and thought, 's**t, I've lost my foot'.

"I screamed to Damir that I was down, and he tried to make his way towards me. Then there was another explosion and he went down as well.

"We were both talking to each other, trying to ascertain each other's injuries and trying to work out a plan to get out of there without somebody else coming in and putting themselves in danger.

"I knew I was right in the middle, so I dragged myself to the bottom of the rock face, got on my foot and just clambered out. Don't ask me how I did it - I don't know. The only thing I can think of is adrenaline and the instinct to survive."

The accident happened just over a month after Dave's arrival in Lebanon, following a stint in Afghanistan.

When he says that he is determined to return to carry on his job as soon as he has been fitted with a prosthetic limb, I'm not sure if he is extremely brave or plain mad.

I suspect it is a combination of a lot of the former and a bit of the latter, but his attitude is a testament to the commitment shown by men like him, who literally risk life and limb every day of their working lives.

"I want to come straight back," says Dave. "The company I work for has told me that my job is still here when I get back. They are supporting me all the way. I'm looking at coming back in February, but it depends on how long it takes to heal."

He says he had received many calls from colleagues and well-wishers.

"I know quite a few people who have got the same injuries. I've had phone calls from all over the world from my mates - people who are in the same position. It's been a big help."

Dave's unswerving determination not to be deterred by his injury came as no surprise to his father, John Alderson, who also lives in Saltburn.

He described the moment he received the bad news from Dave's boss. He says: "As soon as I heard his manager's voice I knew something had happened. But when I found out I said 'I bet he'll be back out there in three months'.

"It is in your mind all the time that something like this could happen. I was expecting it when Dave was in Afghanistan, but I thought he was in a secure area in Lebanon. It's sod's law I suppose."

Dave, who is divorced, has two children, Sarah, ten, and David, eight, who live with their mother in Suffolk.

His father admitted it had been difficult breaking the news to his grandchildren.

He says: "The kids are upset, especially Sarah. They want to speak to him on the phone, but I know it would upset Dave to have to talk to them and explain what's happened. I don't want him going within himself before he gets home."

Mr Alderson was a soldier in the Royal Engineers and the Catering Corps for 22 years. He says: "I'm used to this sort of thing, because I'm ex-military myself and I've been through it before. But it's still upsetting, especially when it's your own flesh and blood. It still comes as a shock to the system. But we are over the initial shock now and are coping quite well.

"We are just looking forward to him coming home, hopefully by the weekend, then we will know where to go from there.

"Dave rang me himself on Friday night, straight after the operation, and he sounded in good spirits. He said to me 'As soon as they nail another foot on, I'll be off'.

"It's his life - he has been doing it for over 20 years now - it's what he lives for, and I accept it. I know he will go back, no matter what I or anyone else says. He'll bounce back - he always says it goes with the job."

He adds: "His mate Kev lost his leg over in Lebanon, and a few others have had similar accidents. It's a joke between us that they are forming their own legless club.

"But it's a safeguard to have this black sense of humour. Without it you would crack up. It's the only way to cope with it all and stay sane."

Mr Alderson is full of praise for those looking after his son. "The people out there have been very good," he says. "The British Embassy and Dave's company have been in contact and have been very helpful. They are getting everything done for him."

But he admits Dave will not make a very good patient. "The one thing he detests is people fussing over him - he is very independent. He will hate being in hospital."

Dave was born in Germany while his father was stationed there with the Army, but he considers himself a northerner and is proud of being from Saltburn.

Just about everyone in the town knows him," says Mr Alderson. "When I popped down to his two locals - the Alexander Vaults and the Queen's Club - on Sunday, they were all rooting for him.

"All he wants to do is get home and get down the pub for a couple of pints with his mates."