FALKLANDS War veteran Simon Weston is coming to Warrington in September to talk about the day his life changed forever.

Simon, a member of the Welsh Guards, was aboard the landing ship RFA Sir Galahad when it was bombed by two Argentine planes on June 9, 1982, in one of the most horrific moments of the conflict.

The attack was devastating as the ship was carrying ammunition, phosphorus bombs and thousands of gallons of diesel and petrol.

And out of Simon's platoon of 30 men, 22 were killed.

Eventually, and against the odds, Simon escaped the burning ship, but only after suffering 46 per cent burns to his body.

The 53-year-old, from Caerphilly, south Wales, said: “My first encounter with a really low point was when they wheeled me into the transit hospital at RAF Lyneham and I passed my mother in the corridor and she said to my gran: ‘Oh mam, look at that poor boy’ and I cried out: ‘Mam, it’s me.

"As she recognised my voice her face turned to stone.”

Weston endured years of reconstructive surgery, including more than 70 major operations and surgical procedures, and went on to be awarded the OBE in 1992.

This will be the first time he has told his story live on stage.

And the audience will hear tales about being on the front line of war and Simon's journey from the edge of death and depths of despair to his life today as a contented father, grandfather and national treasure.

A spokesman for the Pyramid said: "David Fitzgerald, former Sky news anchor and close friend, guides him in an interview format through his remarkable life story.

"The evening will feature questions that only a friend as close as David could ask, and answers only Simon could give.

"Simon will share shocking truths about the conflict, the day the Sir Galahad was attacked and the impact of the war on his life ever since."

- Simon Weston presents My Life, My Story at the Pyramid on September 6.

Visit pyramidparrhall.com or call 442345

DAVID MORGAN