WAR hero Michael Finan is polishing his medals ready for a trip to Buckingham Palace next week.

The veteran, from Corporation Street in Chorley, has been invited to a garden party by the 'Not Forgotten Association.'

The Association is a veterans' group devoted to the men and women who fought in the wars, and the annual garden party is given the Royal seal of approval by the Queen, who lets the group hold the celebration in the palace grounds.

This year the commemorative party, on Thursday, July 26, will be hosted by Prince Michael of Kent -- who was recently in Lancashire to open the National Football Museum in Preston.