FALKLAND veteran Simon Weston visited the region to meet residents of a Teesside care home.

The war hero – named Britain’s most heroic figure and the nation’s favourite war hero in two separate polls – was at Guisborough Manor care home to meet residents.

He spent the day touring the home, owned by St Martins Care, sharing first-hand his inspirational story of his recovery since suffering life-changing injuries in the Falklands conflict in 1982.

Aged only 20, the Welsh Guardsman suffered 46 per cent burns when the Sir Galahad ship was bombed en route to Bluff Cove in the Falklands. Out of his platoon of 30 men, 22 were killed.

The veteran, who is an ambassador for the company, is a passionate advocate of the role medical and practical support plays in aiding recovery from illness and trauma.

He said: “I have been given expert and wonderful care throughout my life and fully appreciate the importance of people who provide high quality care for others either for age or infirmity. I enjoyed working closely with a Military Care Home for more than 20 years and my new role gives me the opportunity to be able to contribute to and develop a business dedicated to doing things ‘properly’.

“I have always been about people and this is a perfect fit for me to help people improve their quality of life and hopefully make them smile.”