WAR veteran Andy Reid was among members of an amputee support group given a blast of a minus 160-degree vapour to help ease ghost pains and other muscular aches.

The AIM (Amputation, Inspiration, Motivation) group, which has around 30 members from St Helens and 300 nationwide, meet each month at Ruskin Drive.

Leeds-based firm Cryotherapy UK – which has treated Alton Towers crash victim Vicky Balch – paid a visit to AIM's meeting on Friday (November 25) to allow members to sample their liquid nitrogen vapours.

It has been suggested the treatment can help relieve the phantom pains suffered by amputees after losing limbs.

Jackie Palmer, one of AIM's three directors, said: "We have members aged from four to eighty-four.

"Cryotherapy is a type of pain relief that has come to our attention - so our members are giving it a try."

Andy Reid, who lost both legs and an arm after stepping on a IED in Afghanistan in 2009, said: "I've had cryotherapy about three or four times now. It's absolutely awesome. After the sessions I feel amazing; the lower back pain goes and my muscle tension loosens up.

"It lasts around four to five days.

"I used to have phantom pain with arm but not much any more."

Around eight people tried the treatment, with a session of around five to 10 minutes.

Sara Turner, from Cryotherapy UK, said: "Cryotherapy is a direct blast of liquid nitrogen vapours of -160 degree Fahrenheit directed on to the area.

"It looks like dry ice and feels cold but it's not painful."

She added: "It started as a beauty treatment and we've diversified into pain relief and rehabilitation. It is a natural form of pain relief rather than taking drugs."