WAR veterans are set to benefit from a warm front - thanks to an East Lancashire plumbers.

Bosses at 24|7 Home Rescue in Burnley have teamed up with The OppO Foundation to overhaul the boilers of two former servicemen.

Ex-military personnel are the focus of the charitable foundation and Harry Toothill and Jay Lieberman are among their latest beneficiaries.

Mr Toothill, 83, from Whitefield, who had served with the Royal Artillery, in the late 1950s had described his boiler as being “on its last legs”.

“I’m extremely grateful to the OppO Foundation and 24|7 Home Rescue," he added.

“I was very worried because my old boiler has become temperamental.

“This means I won’t have to worry about being cold this winter. I hope that they can help other veterans in the future.”

Before he spoke with OppO, he had been repeatedly badgered by sales staff over the prospect of an expensive overhaul for his central heating.

Another ex-squaddie to take advantage of the partnership has been 65-year-old Mr Lieberman, who lives in Bury.

His old boiler, which had seen nearly 30 years service, had also needed replacing but the old soldier did not have the funds for the job.

Mr Lieberman said: “A new boiler will heat my home better and save me some much-needed expense.

“Thank-you for giving me peace of mind when it comes to keeping warm.”

Vulnerable sections of the community have been a regular focus for 24|7 Home Rescue, which is based in Padiham Road.

A spokesman said: “Care is the core value of our business and providing help for the vulnerable members of our community is our mission.

“A boiler may be the heart of the home but it’s our customers that are at the heart of our business.

“That’s why this year we would like to take care of our veterans to recognise their hard work and achievements.”

The OppO Foundation was established by former RAF medic Kayam Iqbal, 39, from Bury with the aim of assisting former military personnel and their families in a variety of ways.

He himself completed tours of Iraq and Afghanistan before being discharged due to post-traumatic stress disorder.

His own struggles on Civvy Street informed the launch of the foundation and OppO Recruitment, a sister concern.

Mr Iqbal said: “This year’s recipients have all bravely served their country and I’m immensely proud to be able to support them in this way.

“The installations mean that they won’t have to worry about being cold this winter.”