A FORMER elite military bodyguard who protected Tony Blair in some of the most dangerous parts of the world is now aiming to pass on his skills to unemployed people in Inverclyde.

Greenock man Gavin Shankly has joined forces with other veterans to launch a security training company.

They have obtained funding to give fellow veterans and jobseekers a training package to help them fight their way back into the workforce.

He hopes the kind of disciplined regime that helped keep the former Prime Minister out of harm’s way can put others on the right track.

Gavin is also delighted to have finally found a new purpose for his specialist skills after his dream army career was cruelly cut short by injury.

The former Royal Military Police close protection unit officer, who has settled in Greenock, said: “I have served in a number of conflicts and in my role with the military close protection unit.

“I was a bodyguard for Tony Blair and a number of royals in some of the most hostile places in the Middle East.

“I wanted to use this in some way to help others so myself and other veterans set up an organisation called Cura Scotland.

“We really want to help veterans and unemployed people generally.

“This is top drawer training and we have a great record so far.

“It is amazing to see people who have not been in the military come to us and within weeks it makes a big difference.

“It is invaluable training that helps with security situations in large venues.” The training helps Gavin and his partners to assist veterans suffering post traumatic stress and other mental health problems.

Gavin, 43, then is more than aware of the types of difficulties they can face.

Ten years ago he was devasated when injury brought his career to a sudden end and he had to find a new role.

But there are also day-to-day change and hurdles which ex-forces personnel have to deal with.

The dad-of-two said: “You go from protecting Tony Blair in Africa to Greenock. It is very difficult to get used to.” Gavin joined the army at the age of 18 and quickly found himself at home.

He added: “I went into the army so I wouldn’t go down the wrong path and I loved every part of army life.

“I was a highly motivated individual, soaked it all up and loved the discipline.” By his early 30s Gavin was deployed in Iraq and was charged with protecting world leaders like then-PM Mr Blair, plus members of the royal family.

Mr Blair in particular was a high profile target, having taken Britain into conflicts in Afghanistan and in Iraq.

Gavin, who was part of a team who took responsibility for the Prime Minister’s safety during a visit to Algeria, said: “These guys have their own bodyguards at home in special branch but we took over in hostile environments.

“He was a tremendous guy.

“He made some big and difficult choices and he is the one who has to live with them.

“But he was really supportive of us.” Now looking to the future, Gavin says he’s keen to make in-roads with his training programme in places like Inverclyde, where there is a high rate of unemployment.

He added: “I am really keen to get as many people as possible on board and we have had a very positive response from the local job centres.” To find out more about the programme, call 07714 408740.