AN OLD soldier has finally won an 11-year campaign to have a medal struck to honour soldiers who took part in the Suez Canal Zone Emergency.

Tom Radford's success means more than 200,000 soldiers who took part in the conflict in the early 1950s can now be awarded a medal recognising their service to the country.

Mr Radford, of Tranmere, Wirral, campaigned for 15 years so they could be honoured with the General Service Medal.

The 69-year-old, who served with the Cheshire Regiment, has now been awarded his and the Ministry of Defence is working through 11,000 more applications.

He said: "It is a great victory for all of us and makes the years of hard work seem so worthwhile. I am so happy because a lot of men and women died for their country and we all put our lives on the line."

The Suez Canal Zone Emergency lasted from 1951 until 1954, and cost the lives of 54 British troops.

It began when Egyptian terrorists attacked soldiers who were protecting the canal, which was a vital route for oil transportation from the Middle East. As the conflict worsened the British government sent in thousands of troops.

Despite the length of the battle and the lives lost the Ministry of Defence did not award any medals.

But because of Mr Radford's campaign they decided to review the situation and finally agreed to the demand.

"The Ministry of Defence tried to turn us down, but in the end I think they had no choice and I am delighted with the result," said Mr Radford.

The father-of-two worked for the council when he left the army and lives in Tranmere with his wife, Bernice.

The Ministry of Defence says it will get the medals out as quickly as possible and wi l l continue to take applications.

An MoD spokesman said: "It is right that these people are now being given medals."

* ARMY personnel or their families who want information about the medals should write to: The Officer In Charge, Army Medals Office, Government Office Building, Worcester Road, Droitwich Spa, Worcs, WR9 8AU.

* Navy personnel should contact: The Naval Pay and Pensions, Afpaa Centurion, Centurion Building, Gray Road, Gossport, Hants, PO13 9XA.

* RAF personnel should write to: The Pension Management Centre, HQ Personnel and Training Courses, RAF, Innesworth, Gloucs, GL3 1EZ.