FALKLANDS veteran Simon Weston is to host an annual dinner for the business community of Rossendale.

Mr Weston is guest speaker at a charity dinner in St Mary's Chambers, Rawtenstall.

Mr Weston follows in a long-line of well-known speakers who have graced the dinner in the past.

These include Paul Burrell, Princess Diana's former Butler whose court case sensationally collapsed, Nick Leeson, whose illegal dealings brought down Bearings Bank, and Christine and Neil Hamilton.

Organisers B & E Boys, building contractors, hope the presence of Simon Weston will show how a positive mental attitude can achieve great business goals.

Mr Weston was born in the Welsh village of Nelson, Mid-Glamorgan, in 1961.

He joined the Welsh Guards at18 and, before sailing with the Falklands Task Force, saw service in Berlin, Northern Ireland and Kenya.

In 1982, he was aboard the Sir Galahad when it was bombed by Argentine planes.

The 46 per cent burns he suffered on that day have required a series of operations, which continue to this day.

Despite these injuries and the physical and mental suffering they caused, his life is now seen as an example of personal triumph and courage.