A HEXHAM veteran has been presented with a new set of war medals, decades after losing his original ones.

Tommy Watson (94) served in the Second World War in the Royal Navy from 1943, when he turned 18, as an able seaman. 

Tommy, who is from Hexham but now lives at Red Brick House in Prudhoe, was awarded the Pacific Star, the Atlantic Star, the Burma Star and the 1939-45 War Medal, but his young son lost them more than 60 years ago, and his family had tried several times with no luck to get them replaced.

But activities co-ordinator at the care home Martin Foster helped to arrange for replicas to be found for Tommy, and on Saturday they were presented to him by Commanding Officer of HMS Calliope, Graeme Deighton.

Tommy was joined by members of his family, staff from the care home, officers from HMS Calliope, members of the Royal British Legion, the mayors of Prudhoe and Gateshead as well as local councillors for the presentation.

Read more in this week's Hexham Courant.