Former Paratrooper David Brown is preparing to return to the Falkland Islands 20 years after he fought there as a soldier.

Mr Brown, now 40, from Thornton, Bradford, is one of 300 ex-servicemen who have been hand-picked for a pilgrimage back to the islands in the South Atlantic in November next year.

The ex-soldier was a member of 2 Para when he celebrated his 21st birthday on the day of the Falkland Islands landings on May 21, 1982.

On June 14 Argentina surrendered control of the islands after a brief but bloody conflict - the British Government never officially declared war.

The pilgrimage is being organised by the South Atlantic Medal Association which is the official veterans' group set up in memory of the 254 men who lost their lives.

Mr Brown, who is SAMA82's northern secretary, said: "A lot of servicemen suffered mentally as well as physically during the conflict and the pilgrimage is being seen as a way of going back in peace time and healing some of those wounds.

"Personally I want to be able to walk down the slope where a friend of mine died in my arms during the battle to take Goose Green and just see it as it is now. I want to be able to put that memory to rest.

"I know a lot of veterans who have been back to the islands since the conflict and they say it has helped them lay the ghosts of what they experienced."

Mr Brown said he suffered post traumatic stress disorder as a result of his experiences during fighting in 1982. "The Falklands Conflict left an indelible mark on me and many veterans' lives. I celebrated my 21st birthday on the island, stuck in a foxhole in the pitch black! This pilgrimage will give us a chance to create some good memories of the islands." Before he starts preparing for his pilgrimage, Mr Brown is gearing up for the 2nd Falklands veterans reunion in the North which is being held in Keighley from Friday to Sunday.

Hundreds of ex-servicemen and their families are expected to camp out next to the Guide Inn in Hainsworth during the three-day social weekend.

For details contact David Brown on 01274 416150, fax 01274 413755 or e-mail him on sama82north@ukonline.co.uk.