THEY were bitter enemies during the Falklands War. Now they are united in a new battle to help thousands of war veterans finally lay their ghosts to rest.

The paths of Les Standish and Argentinian Alejandro Vidlea first met when Mr Standish was in charge of prisoners -- and Mr Vidlea was one of his captives.

But yesterday, in Bolton, they enjoyed an emotional reunion -- and shared a pint, putting the past firmly behind them.

It is an historic visit by the Argentinian war veteran -- the first to Bolton since the war 20 years ago.

Father-of-two Mr Vidlea, aged 40, will lay a wreath this weekend at the Bolton War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday as a mark of respect for those who died during the battle for the Falkland Islands.

Mr Standish, of Belmont, a father of four, asked his former enemy to visit Bolton after they first made contact with each other a year ago via an Internet website uniting British and Argentinian veterans.

Mr Standish was in charge of prisoners of war on the Norland ship which took 1,500 captives -- including Mr Vidlea -- back to Argentina.

Celebrating his arrival in Bolton last night Mr Vidlea, who is accompanied by his wife, Alejandra, said he remembered Mr Standish.

He revealed he has come to England to help build bridges between the two countries.

And he is hoping to set up a voluntary organisation back in his home town of Venado Tuerto, Santa Fe, Argentina, modelled on the successes of the British voluntary organisation called SAMA -- South Atlantic Medals Association.

They are fighting to help war veterans come to terms with the conflict.

Mr Standish was a 21-year-old lance corporal in the parachute regiment, in charge of eight men, during the Falklands War.

The two men were reunited at Heathrow airport before driving north together to Bolton.

Mr Standish said: "It was a very emotional meeting. I knew him straight away. I saw a veteran with a soldier's eyes. There was some hugging and crying."

Mr Vidlea was captured at Goose Green in the Falklands -- just 10 days before the ceasefire. After the war, Mr Standish was honoured with the military medal for bravery for saving the life of a fellow comrade.

But years later, he suffered a mental breakdown, triggered as well by his experiences as a prisoner officer at Strangeways during the riots when he was attacked by a prisoner wielding a crowbar. But now he has laid his demons to rest.

He said: "Alejandro is identical to myself, a mirror image. Today is the icing on the cake after all we have both been through. We are now fighting the same war together to help Britons and Argentinians."

Mr Vidlea does not speak any English and the two communicate with each other via Spanish-talking ex-veteran Julian Rowe, who will be touring the North-west over the next week.

Mr Vidlea, who says war veterans are ignored in his country, said: "It was an enormous emotion when Les and I first met. We have been talking about our children and what music we like.

"I am very proud to be representing my country and laying the wreath on Sunday."