THE mother of soldier Konrad Bisping, who was struck in the head with a pick axe during an army training exercise, has said he is "slowly but surely" recovering.

Kathleen Bisping, from Clitheroe, was speaking almost a year to the day that lance corporal Konrad was attacked by fellow squaddie, Private Grant Kenyon.

Kenyon launched himself at Konrad while on military exercises on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, in January 2003.

The pick axe struck him with such force that the point pierced his skull and travelled more than an inch into his brain.

Konrad, 27, who is married to Claire, 26, and has a son, Declan, suffered serious brain damage, vision loss and panic attacks following the attack and is currently being cared for in an Army rehabilitation hospital.

But his mother Kathleen said he was making good progress, adding her family had been inundated with cards and greetings wishing Konrad well.

She said: "Some of the cards were from people we don't know or just simply said 'from a friend'. We are very grateful for everyone who sent us their best wishes.

"Konrad was able to leave hospital for a holiday over Christmas. Claire wanted to go abroad but Konrad is still to frightened, so they hired a little cottage in Wales.

"I spoke to him over Christmas and he sounded a lot more positive and is improving slowly but surely. But there is still a long way to go."

Eighteen year-old Kenyon, of Mill Hill, Blackburn, in December pleaded guilty to GBH with intent and was jailed for four-and-a-half years after a jury at Bristol Crown Court earlier cleared him of attempted murder.

The court heard from fellow troops how Kenyon had pledged to kill Konrad, who he believed had humiliated him in front of colleagues while on exercise.