An engineer who lost his right shoulder in a roadside bomb explosion in Iraq has brought his landmark claim for damages against the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Graham Hopps, 45, from Whitkirk, Leeds, is suing the MoD and his former employer Mott Macdonald for failing to provide better-armoured vehicles for transport men working in Iraq. Both the MoD and Mott Macdonald deny liability for the incident.

Mr Hopps' arm and shoulder was shattered, and another passenger was fatally injured when the Land Rover in which they were travelling in was attacked on a road known as "bomb alley".

"I could smell cordite and was aware of extreme pain in my right shoulder and arm," Mr Hopps said. "It appeared that my right arm was hanging off and I was very frightened."

Should Mr Hopps win the case, other civilians injured in warzones could be able to sue their employers.

Indeed, families of military victims have recently brought legal action against the MoD for providing lightly armoured Snatch Land Rovers for use by servicemen, despite the vulnerability of the vehicle's body armouring to roadside bombs.