A FORMER soldier has been presented with a Veterans' Badge by Mayor of Durham, Councillor Pauline Charlton.

Ritchie Davison, who was a staff sergeant with the Light Dragoons, served with the British Army from 1968-96.

The 63-year-old, from Sunderland, served during the first Gulf war, in Bosnia, in the Falklands War and in Germany during his 28-year military career.

He now lives at Rushyfields Care Home in Brandon, near Durham, and a party was held in honour with family and friends from his army days.

Care home manager Karen Burberry said: “All he talks about is his days in the army and lots of his military friends come and visit him. The army was his life.”