FORGOTTEN heroes from World War II were given Liverpool's highest honour last night. Around 200 Merchant Navy veterans were awarded the Freedom of the City at the Town Hall.

Merchant Navy Association organ-iser, Bill Anderson, said: "The Merchant Navy veterans faced mortal danger in the service of others and they did not waver, even in the dark-est days of the war."

Mr Anderson collected the award in front of around 200 veterans in the Town Hall's lavish main ballroom.

He said: "I am very proud coming from a maritime background. There is a feeling this award is overdue and we have been looking forward to this day for many years.

"But it's never too late and we appreciate the city acknowledging the past."

Thousands of Merchant Navy vessels carried supplies and troops from the port of Liverpool and at least 400 local ships were destroyed in operations, mainly during the pivotal Battle of the Atlantic.

Yesterday's ceremony at Liverpool Town Hall was a poignant reminder, occurring on the 60th anniversary of the height of the brutal campaign.

The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Coun Ron Gould, said: "This honour reflects the vital role played by the Merchant Navy and their associates during World War II.

"I'm proud that our city is repaying its debt to these heroes and publicly acknowledging their bravery and sacrifice.

"This is probably the most prestigious event we've had in recent years, and rightly so, for the work they've done for the city."

The traditional ceremony included a procession of council staff and the veterans into the Town Hall, a signing of scrolls and speeches by civic leaders.

Council Labour leader Coun Joe Anderson followed his father into the Merchant Navy when he was 16 and spent 14 years at sea.

He served with many men involved in the Battle of the Atlantic and saluted them yesterday, saying they should have received the award a long time ago.

He told the veterans: "As an ex-merchant seaman, today's event honouring the men and women who served their country and their city with such pride and bravery, although long overdue, fills me with an enormous amount of pride and satisfaction.

"These men sailed on outdated and sometimes barely seaworthy ships, and these men, although civilians, were at the forefront of the biggest survival battle Britain has ever seen.

"This city is proud to bestow on those brave warriors who perished and those who survived, the freedom of the City of Liverpool. I can think of no more worthy a group of men and women."

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, a former merchant seaman, sent a letter regretting he could not attend the ceremony.

He praised the veterans for their highly professional approach to duty and said the Merchant Navy had proudly and effectively served the country well on many difficult occasions.