SECOND World War veteran Laurie Symes and the 100,000 old soldiers he represents have struck it lucky, marching into the finals of a National Lottery awards scheme.

The 84-year-old former sergeant major is chairman of the Market Garden Veterans Association, which has been shortlisted from 1,000 entries for a prize in the hero category of the Lottery's Helping Hand Awards.

He will face stiff competition from the good causes represented by Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes and Falklands War veteran Simon Weston, who suffered horrific burns when his ship was bombed.

But Mr Symes, from Druitt Road in Christchurch, who fought across Normandy and Holland with the Hampshire Regiment, will keep his fingers crossed that the public will vote for the veterans and honour the bravery of his comrades who risked their lives to help defeat the Nazis.

"I think we're all on an equal footing and I'm just delighted that we have made it into the final three," he said. "But of course if we did win, it would be a huge boost to our organisation."

Last year the veterans association received an award of £52,165 from the Lottery's Heroes Return programme, which helped 105 old soldiers return to Holland to mark the 60th anniversary of the Operation Market Garden campaign.

The helping hand awards were set up to recognise some of the achievements made possible by National Lottery funding, and will feature in the lottery's 10th anniversary celebrations on November 6.

The awards were open to any project which had been fully or partially funded by National Lottery cash, and the winning cause will send its representative to collect a trophy at the anniversary celebrations in the Tate Modern Gallery.

To vote for Laurie Symes and the veterans telephone 0871 8721913.

First published: Oct 25