A DARWEN war hero has received a medal to recognize his service during the Korean War.

Pensioner Clifford Bryce received a leather-bound letter and medal with rainbow coloured ribbons from the ambassador for South Korea more than 60 years after fighting in the war in the 1950s.

The war saw forces from the United States, the UK and South Korea pitted against China, the Soviet Union and North Korea after the division of the country after the Second World War.

Mr Bryce, 83, said: "It was a nice surprise, I was very pleased when it came through the door.

"It's recognition of what happened and what we did, it is good that someone remembers after all this time."

The honour from the South Korean embassy was recently sent out to people who served during the Korean War.

He also received a separate letter from the 'Ambassador For Peace' thanking him on behalf of the people of South Korea.

The father-of-four has also been given a small medal which he can wear on his jacket to mark his achievements.

Mr Bryce, who has now lived in Darwen for 35 years, served in the conflict as part of The King's Regiment, Liverpool, and served in South Korea from 1952 to 1953.

He worked during the war on a stretcher Jeep and provided care to wounded soldiers.

Mr Bryce, who held the rank of private, said: "It was very bad over there, it was such a brutal war.

"It was a very sad time, so many friends and colleagues were killed, it was devastating."

The war took place from June 1950 to July 1953.

The grandfather-of-15 joined the army when he was 17-years-old after he was born and raised in Liverpool.

He then spent his working years in the armed forces and believes that despite the hard times he experienced it was a noble career choice.

Mr Bryce said: "It was a very proud time for me serving in the army.

"It's good that I now have these medals to remember that time spent."