A ROMSEY war veteran is celebrating this week after a public inquiry formally recognised the existence of Gulf War syndrome.

Charles Plumridge, 64, fought in the 1991 Gulf War conflict - and has suffered a catalogue of illness since, such as osteo-arthritis in his legs, ankles and feet, post-traumatic stress syndrome and bowel problems.

Mr Plumridge, of Nightingale Close, says his poor health was caused by the three months he spent in the Middle East and he's been battling to get the Ministry of Defence to admit that for more than a decade.

"People say it must be down to my age, but I fall into the same categories of illness as much younger people who also fought in the Gulf," he said.

"I went to the appeal court six times to have illnesses accepted to qualify for a better pension and I don't think I should be put to that test. If they can't take our word, who's word will they take?"

The former milkman has been unable to work since 1991. The government has given him a pension but it has refused to admit that all of his symptoms were caused by Gulf War service.

Yesterday, an independent inquiry became the first body to officially recognise the condition.

Lord Lloyd of Berwick, heading up the investigation, said veterans had been given up to 14 injections in a two-day span to prepare them for battle - and that the Gulf had been a "very toxic environment".

The inquiry also recommended that the MoD should publicly acknowledge that veterans are suffering injury or disease from their service in the Gulf.