War veteran fights back tears after receiving France's highest military honour

A World War Two veteran from Leicester has been awarded the prestigious Legion d'Honneur medal from the French Government.

93-year-old Dennis North served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, He was just 18 when he escorted British landing crafts to the Normandy coastline on D-Day.

He was surrounded by his friends and family for the special presentation ceremony. The Legion d'Honneur has been award by the French government to D-Day veterans from many different countries for several years, as a way of thanking those who risked their lives to secure France’s liberation during the Second World War.

Since June 2014, more than five thousand medals have been awarded. Each month, veterans apply to the MOD and their application is then considered by the French authorities.

Mr North's family said they couldn't be more proud of him.