A D-DAY veteran who this year returned to Normandy for the first time since 1944 is to be honoured.

Kevin Finegan, 80, of Highfields Court, Huddersfield, served in a minesweeper in the Second World War and was one of the first across the Channel on D-Day.

The night before the invasion his wooden ship and crew of 17 went out into the Channel to make sure the route was safe.

They then returned to the gathering fleet and followed it across for the invasion.

Now, 60 years on, Mr Finegan is to receive a veteran's badge from the Defence Ministry for his bravery.

He said: "After D-Day I never really thought about what I had been involved in.

"It has not been until recently that I have realised what a massive day it was and that I was a part of it.

"I remember looking out at all the ships and craft, waiting to make the trip across the Channel and thinking it was like a boating lake with toy boats on it. There were four mine sweepers. I never saw the crews of the other boats again. I don't think they made it back."

Mr Finegan was the wireless operator on the small minesweeper. His wife, Margaret, can remember D-Day and how worried she was that her teenage sweetheart would not come home.

"I had not heard from Kevin for a few weeks and I was getting a bit worried," she said.

"I didn't know that communications had been stopped because of the planned invasion.

"I remember turning on the radio and the news said we had invaded. Then I knew why I had not heard from him. I was very worried."

The couple, who have two children, Pamela and Bryan, were married in March, 1945, and have lived in Huddersfield all their lives.

After leaving the navy in 1945 Mr Finegan became a travel agent.

For the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landings he returned to France. There he met the Queen, Tony Blair and Michael Howard.

He said: "It was a wonderful occasion that brought back a lot of memories.

"Seeing all the graves of those who did not make it really brings home how lucky I was," added Mr Finegan.