A PENSIONER awarded four prestigious medals for his part in World War Two was over the moon this week when they arrived more than 50 years late.

Jim Pickles, of Emma Street, Accrington, has received the World War Two Star, the Burma Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal after serving as a soldier in Madagascar, India and Burma between 1939 and 1945 as part of the Queen's East Lancashire Regiment's campaign. Mr Pickles, 84, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to bits - over the moon, especially when they arrived in boxes with coloured ribbons and they're so shiny, I felt so proud.

"I can't wait for Armistice Day this year when I will wear them with pride."

A great granddad who lives with his wife Sadie, 81, Mr Pickles has received the medals thanks to the help of Lancashire Evening Telegraph agony aunt Vicky Maud.

He added: "I knew I had been awarded the medals when the war was over but thought that only so many had been minted and that they had all gone.

" I got in touch with Vicky Maud for help and she told me where to apply for them.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to have them after all this time."

Anyone who would like details of where to apply for war medals can write to Vicky, including details of where and when they served and a stamped addressed envelope, c/o the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, High Street, Blackburn, BB1 1HT.

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