AN AUTHOR and former SAS soldier has warned Britain is sitting on a "timebomb" of future severe mental health problems among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Andy McNab predicted that without improved care a shocking number of those fighting in the 'war on terror' would go on to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – and in some cases commit suicide.

The soldier-turned-writer – who is a regular visitor to Plymouth – also released a new survey revealing that two-thirds of UK adults think the Government's treatment of ex-servicemen and women is "disgraceful".

Three-quarters believe care for veterans' psychological condition is "inadequate" – and 49 per cent would pay an extra penny in the pound of income tax to help returning service personnel with financial troubles.

It comes as around 1,200 city servicemen and women head out to Afghanistan for ongoing operations against the Taliban.

Mr McNab tackles these issues in his new non-fiction memoir, Seven Troop, which looks at what happened to the men he served with in the SAS until 1993.

Two of the members of his unit have since killed themselves and a third is in prison after shooting his girlfriend dead.

NHS provision is "totally inadequate" for dealing with the estimated 15 per cent of veterans who will suffer some form of PTSD, Mr McNab said.

He added: "Since I left the forces some 15 years ago, the situation for ex-service personnel simply hasn't improved.

"I've seen for myself the appalling way that our soldiers are hung out to dry.

"The idea held by the Government that the majority of service personnel experience a smooth transition into civilian life is delusional and largely false.

"Living in the outside world when discharged is very hard and many ex-Armed Forces personnel experience huge difficulties reintegrating.

"Years of service institutionalise men and women who are then thrust back into society with minimal co-ordination and long term support."

Mr McNab stressed that responsibility for dealing with the problem lay with the Government rather than the Ministry of Defence. "The military are doing their bit but they are restricted by their funds," he added. "The system says once they (service personnel) leave, they are within the NHS system. There is this timebomb and the NHS won't be able to cope with it."

The new survey, commissioned to coincide with the publication of Seven Troop this week, also reveals that Britons feel veterans do not receive sufficient public recognition.

The MoD said in a statement: "The vast majority of service leavers make a smooth transition to civilian life, with 94 per cent using their skills and experience to find full employment within six months.

"We recognise though that some [servicemen] do experience difficulties and the Ministry of Defence works closely with service charities to support veterans."

Andy McNab shot to fame with his first book, Bravo Two Zero, which recounted his part leading an ill-fated patrol behind enemy lines during the first Gulf War in 1991.