A HERO soldier who was awarded the George Medal for his bravery in Afghanistan has cleared his name after being accused of racially aggravated assault.

Andy Barlow had to have his left leg amputated below the knee after running into a minefield to save his comrades.

He was horrified when he and his girlfriend were arrested on suspicion of racially-aggravated assault after an alleged scuffle in a Bolton supermarket car park.

Their accuser, a 36-year-old Asian man, was later arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. The police yesterday decided to take no further action against all three people.

The incident was centred around a disagreement in the car park of Asda in Astley Bridge, on a Saturday afternoon in August.

The row was said to have been about a car which was blocking the car of Mr Barlow and his girlfriend, Melanie Makin, aged 21.

The owner of the other car claimed to police he was assaulted by Mr Barlow and racially abused by Mr Barlow and Ms Makin, charges they both furiously denied. The soldier, aged 21, from Breightmet, said he was delighted to have his and his girlfriend’s names cleared after nearly three months “of hell” while the charges hung over them.

He said: “I knew the charges would get dropped from the start. It just proves that throwing the race card isn’t the best option.

“It’s been a stressful time over the last few months when it could have been sorted out straight away.”

He added: “My mates were laughing about it. They’re from all different backgrounds and they know I’m not racist.

“I used to play rugby with a Fijian team and I’ve sat and had meals with people in Afghanistan.”

Mr Barlow was awarded the George Medal, the second highest British military award for bravery, by the Queen at Buckingham Palace last December.

He lost his leg after running into a minefield to save his comrades. He has since fought back from his injuries with the help of a prosthetic leg.