A FORMER army medic has won his 30 year fight to be awarded a war pension.

He believes his victory could pave the way for way for veterans of World War Two, the Gulf War and other conflicts.

Leonard Griffiths, aged 55, from Higher Fold, Leigh, has finally been awarded a pension by the Government.

He had been locked in the battle since 1970 after being discharged as medically unfit for service in 1966.

Mr Griffiths served in Aden in southern Arabia.

He 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 have flash-backs and terrible nightmares. It's rare that I get more than two hours sleep at any one time.

"Now I have won the right to this pension, it could open the flood-gates for lots more sufferers who have been denied before to have another go."

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 said: "If you had seen some of the things I have you would have nightmares too."

He is now looked after by a full-time carer to help him. Mr Griffiths appealed to the War Pensions Tribunal and more detailed medical evidence was presented on his behalf.

In a written decision, a spokesman for the War Pensions Agency said: "This award clears your appeal. I am pleased to have been able to make this award for you and hope you are keeping well."

Mr Griffiths was awarded a pension at the rate of 30 per cent, back-dated to March 1994. He is waiting to hear if it can be back-dated to when he left the armed forces. Leonard Griffiths