A FORMER army medic was yesterday locked in a tribunal fight to win a 30 year battle to be awarded a war pension.

Leonard Griffiths won the right to a tribunal hearing after a lengthy campaign.

Mr Griffiths, aged 55, from Higher Fold, served in the conflict in Aden in southern Arabia.

He was discharged as medically unfit for service in 1966. Since 1970 he has been campaigning for his right to a war pension.

And he believes if he is successful it could pave the way for veterans of World War Two, the Gulf War and other conflicts.

Mr Griffiths said: "I have what is known as combat stress trauma or desert syndrome. In the old days they used to call it shell-shock.

"It means I have constant tiredness, am short of breath and short tempered. I still have flash-backs and terrible nightmares. It's rare that I get more than two hours sleep at any one time.

"Of course I want to win my personal battle but I want to win and open the flood-gates for thousands of others who deserve a war pension."

Mr Griffiths served with the Royal Pioneer Corps as a regimental medic in the conflict at Aden, which is now part of the republic of Yemen.

He was present at a battle that became known as the battle of Crater.

Mr Griffiths said: "If you had seen some of the things that I saw then you would have nightmares too."

He is now looked after by a full time carer to help him deal with his condition.

If he is successful he could be awarded in excess of £20,000.

He added: "At some points I have felt so low that I have considered suicide but I am determined to fight on."

Mr Griffiths was represented by a solicitor at the pensions tribunal which was heard in Manchester.