A VETERAN of the British nuclear weapons test programme from the Isle of Wight who took part in the exploding of atomic and hydrogen bombs in the 1950s, will wear a medal struck to mark his involvement.

Ron Bostwick, of Ventnor, did his National Service during the Operation Grapple set of four series of British nuclear bomb tests, carried out at Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in the Pacific Ocean in 1957. 

In all, nine nuclear explosions were initiated, culminating in the UK becoming the third recognised possessor of thermonuclear weapons.

Ron, a member of the Isle of Wight branch of the Royal Engineers Association, will attend the Remembrance Sunday service in Newport.

During the service, Ron will wear a medal to mark his involvement, commissioned by the government 70 years later.

Ron was one of 22,000 eligible to receive the Nuclear Test Medal.

Downing Street agreed to its creation in November last year after years of campaigning by veterans and charities.

About 40,000 British personnel took part in the testing of atomic and hydrogen bombs in the 1950s and 1960s, with Ron among around 2,000 believed to be still alive. 

The medal was awarded posthumously to others.