JIMMY Taylor ran the gauntlet of German U-Boats, dive bombers and icebergs in the Second World War.

Now, the ex-merchant seaman, who sailed on convoys taking ammunition and stores to Russia, is going into battle again - this time against the British Government.

The 82-year-old, a lifetime member of the Russian Convoy Club, will take part in a protest march through London in May calling for the valued work of the Arctic convoys to be recognised with a medal.

Those involved in the campaign were refused a medal, but Mr Taylor wants the omission rectified.

Mr Taylor, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, said he wants medals awarded for dozens of shipmates from the town who gave their lives on the convoys.

"There is a medal for the Atlantic campaign, the Mediterranean, the Pacific and Burma - every sea campaign but the Arctic convoys and it is an injustice," he said.

This week, Commander Eddie Grenfell, 84-year-old leader of the national campaign, put his name to a letter calling on Prime Minister Tony Blair to recognise the sacrifices made.

He said: "We think there was a political reason for no medal - that while Russia was our ally during the war, it was pushed aside at the end of the war.

"Government civil servants did not want people running around with medals saying they had helped the Russians."