A ROYAL Navy veteran from Rossendale has spoken of his emotional return to the Falkland Islands — 32 years after he served in the conflict there.

Steve Butterworth, from Holcombe Brook, did not set foot on the islands during his spell as a catering accountant and medic on board HMS Intrepid in 1982.

The 54-year-old, who now acts as an outreach worker for Haslingden charity Veterans In Communities, said the visit provided “more positives than negatives”.

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Mr Butterworth, who has battled depression since leaving the Navy, travelled to the British Overseas Territory with five other veterans on a trip organised by the South Atlantic Medal Association.

He said: “When we went to San Carlos it was a hard day because I could remember being on HMS Intrepid looking in.

“My best friend, who went on to be my best man, was on HMS Antelope when it was bombed in San Carlos Water. It later sank in the bay and I looked at where it went down.

“We were in San Carlos Water when the injured from HMS Antelope were brought on board but my friend was not among them. I later found out he had been badly wounded but was treated elsewhere.

“Going back to the hills of San Carlos gave me time for reflection and contemplation.”

Mr Butterworth, who is now retraining as a teacher, sketched and painted a number of scenes during his trip. He hopes to return to the islands in 2017 accompanied by his son Adam, 28, who also served in the Royal Navy.

He said: “The national flower of the Falklands is the pale maiden and on Mount Harriet there were thousands and I picked a bunch.

“I was told that they had a strong scent but it was so windy I could not smell them so I put them in my room and closed the door.

“When I returned, my room was full of this beautiful aroma and that is now how I remember the Falkland Islands.”