WEST Somerset veterans who risked their lives and endured some of the toughest conditions of World War Two have welcomed a Government decision to honour their actions - more than 70 years after the event.

Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Wednesday that a specific and dedicated medal would be awarded to the survivors of the Arctic convoys who transported vital supplies through German blockades to the Soviet Union between 1941 and 1945.

And for Arctic convoy hero Peter Baker from Kilve, the recognition could not come soon enough.

In November the Free Press reported Mr Baker's anger at a UK ruling preventing him and fellow veterans from accepting a medal from the Russian Federation as a symbol of the country's gratitude.

Mr Baker, who will celebrate his 90th birthday in February, was told it would break the rules surrounding the acceptance of medals.

But the Government, which previously said the conflict was too long ago to issue its own award, has now accepted the recommendations of a review into the rules on military decorations led by former diplomat Sir John Holmes.

Mr Cameron told the House of Commons that he was delighted to announce the award of an Arctic Convoy Star to give the servicemen the recognition they so richly deserved.

And Mr Baker told the Free Press: "I am absolutely pleased as punch.

"It is right that the efforts of everyone who served in the convoys have finally been recognised and all I can say is that it is about time.

"I served on patrols, convoys and other operations in Arctic waters from 1940 to 1943 and the conditions were exceedingly inhospitable to say the least.

"We were at sea in temperatures well below freezing often for 35 days at a time - it was extremely hard for everyone."

And fellow West Somerset Arctic convoy veteran Robin Clode from Dunster agreed.

Although he endured the harsh conditions and sub-zero temperatures for a shorter time than Mr Baker, his memories of the experience are just as vivid.

"I joined as a rating and served aboard the home fleet's flagship King George V in 1941," he said.

"I had a very similar war to Peter Baker. It was a very rough time for everyone."

Mr Clode, 91, said few of the estimated 66,000 British sailors and merchant seamen who took part in the convoys were still alive.

"I was one of the lucky ones. We have been asking for this for a very long time and I am delighted that there is finally some recognition for what we did.

"It's just a pity it could not have come sooner so that everyone who served could have been honoured."

Mr Cameron's announcement was also welcomed by West Somerset councillor Stuart Dowding, who represents the West Quantock ward on the district authority.

Cllr Dowding is the council's representative for the Somerset Community Armed Forces Covenant, which promotes mutual support between civilians and military personnel.

But his father was also a commodore in the Arctic convoys, serving with the ill-fated PQ17 mission in which 24 of 35 British ships were lost under German attack in July 1942.

"My father was torpedoed and was actually in the water for very short while," said Cllr Dowding.

"The announcement of this medal is long overdue and I am just sorry that the delay in awarding it means it will be too late for many veterans.

"People who served for one day in some theatres of war received a medal, while those who served for years in the Arctic convoys got nothing - until now.

"Churchill described it as the worst journey in the world. They were at risk 24 hours a day and the biggest enemy was not the Germans - it was the ice.

"It is absolutely right that these servicemen will now receive the recognition they deserve."

More details on the new medal, including how veterans can apply for it, are expected to be announced by the Ministry of Defence in the new year.