GULF War veterans from Atherton and Leigh took part in a demonstration on Saturday to mark the anniversary of the conflict and their "betrayal" by the Labour Government.

Some of the veterans, who served in the 1991 conflict to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi forces, handed back their medals to the Ministry of Defence in London in protest at their treatment.

Many have suffered a catalogue of illnesses since the conflict and 140 have died.

Campaigners for recognition of Gulf War Syndrome and compensation believe vaccinations given to soldiers and the use of organophosphates possibly contributed to the illnesses.

The Ministry of Defence has admitted the widespread use of organophosphates put soldiers at risk and that drugs were given to soldiers against Department of Health advice.

Before the election Labour called for the resignation of Tory Defence Minister Nicholas Soames and for compensation for veterans.

But Gulf campaigners say they have been betrayed by the new Labour administration. They say Labour Defence Minister John Reid is fighting just as hard to avoid paying compensation.

Thomas Ford, of Leigh Road, Atherton, served as a medic. He helped deliver a document to the MoD, claiming a poor standard of support for veterans and their dependants.

But he has kept his medals.

"As far as I'm concerned the medals were issued by the Queen and my argument is with the MoD. I don't see why I should hand them back after what I have been through."

Mr Ford gave injections to troops. He said: "I questioned whether we should be giving the injections and I was told to shut up and get on with the job or be charged."

He has suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, fatigue, bronchitis, glandular fever and chronic bronchitis.

After his discharge he could not work and was forced to sell his house .

The veterans say many of their comrades have been refused a war pension and some are in abject poverty despite the British public donating £8.4 million to the Gulf War Trust Appeal which has not been used.

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