AN inquiry into a D-Day veteran's claim that he was asked to leave the recent Gallipoli parade because he was marching too slowly, has concluded it was nothing more than a "mix-up".

It was found that a member of the Rochdale branch of the Lancashire Fusiliers Association asked 80-year-old Walter Jones and his wife, Jean, to "step out" from the annual parade in Bury.

Mr Jones said that, although he did not hear the request himself, his wife was upset by the offender's attitude and they eventually finished the parade way behind the LFA veterans.

However, after a meeting last week, the Rochdale branch of the LFA insisted the Gallipoli day rumpus was just a "mix-up".

Chairman Tom Bailey said a member, who has not been named, was marching in the parade behind D-Day veteran Walter Jones and his wife Jean, and asked them to "step out" because they were walking too slow.

Mr Bailey said the couple either misunderstood the phrase -- a military term for "hurry up" -- or they were asked to leave the parade by an unknown person afterwards. Either way, he said, the Rochdale branch had nothing to apologise for.

He said: "It was quite clear from the outset that this couple would fall behind. And one of my lads asked him to speed up by saying 'Step out'.

"He is an experienced soldier and he knows exactly what 'step out' means. It means pick up the pace.

"There should not have been any misunderstanding. As far as we are concerned the matter is closed."

Walter of Nuttall Street, Bury, insisted that the incident could have been handled better and the LFA member who asked them to 'step out' could have been more polite.

He said: "I am aware that "step out" is a military term to speed up but it can also mean what my wife understood it to be, to leave the parade.

"I didn't hear exactly what was said as I am a bit deaf in my left ear; however, Jean was very upset.

"While I agree that a line can now be drawn under this matter, I feel the man who asked us to "step out" could have been more polite. As long as I am able to walk then I will continue to take part in any future parades."