A WORLD war two veteran has been awarded the highest French honour for this services.

Eric Radcliffe, aged 90, of Sydney Avenue in Leigh, is a member of the Grenadier Guards Association and served with the 6th guard's tank brigade in the 4th battalion.

The grandfather of one was awarded the Legion D'Honneur by the French Government as part of its wishes to honour all member of the armed forces who were involved in the liberation of France in 1944.

In a special ceremony, held in Alexandra Court in Wigan on Friday, the mayor of Wigan presented Mr Radcliffe and comrade Lenoard Harmer with the medal, a moment which he said was "overwhelming".

He added: "I am very proud indeed.

"It's a fitting tribute but most unexpected.

"I have other medals but none quite like this one.

"I'm just sorry that the lads that were lost won't get it because it's not posthumously awarded.

"It's a great honour."

Mr Radcliffe joined the guards days after his 18th birthday in 1943 and was sent to Normandy with his comrades on July 30 1944.

Their first action was at Caumomt after which they moved on to battle in Normandy until August 21.

Mr Radcliffe, who was a tank gunner operator said: "I was very lucky- I think someone must have been smiling at me from up there.

"The weather in Normandy was hot and very dusty the terrain was high banks and hedgerows and sunken lanes which made it difficult for the tanks and infrantry.

"The Germans could be just over the next hedge hiding with their guns."

"It wasn't very pleasant, especially if you saw a tiger or a panther tank, which were large German tanks with 88mm guns which could penetrate any tank- if one of those appeared on the scene we tried to hide wherever we could.

"In Holland we would dig a large grave under the tank about a foot deep about the length of the tank and when the Germans were throwing a bit of flack over we would run the tank over the top of the hole and we would sleep underneath to keep safe from the shell.

"We had to be careful we dug on the right ground though and that it didn't sink because the tanks weighed about 40 tonnes."

Mr Radcliffe, took part in battles at Caen, Cagny Arras and Caumomt from Normandy up through France, Belgium and Nijmegan in Holland.

It was in Holland that Mr Radcliffe fell ill with jaundice, a life threatening disease in those days, and was sent home in December of 1944.

He didn't return to his batallion, instead returning to tank training after his recovery and then back to infantry before being sent to Norway. He then went on to be a palace guard in London and spent his final days in the guards until 1947 as an orderly room clerk.

Now treasurer of the Grenadier Guards Wigan Branch, Mr Radcliffe said the comradeship between the members is what keeps them together.

Barry Taylor President of the association said: "Eric is an outstanding man.

"I am very proud."

Mr Radcliffe said: "When we were out there we never expected thanks for what we were doing it was just your job but to receive this honour now and be remembered after all these years later is really quite overwhelming."