A WAR veteran aged 93 has finally been recognised for his service 70 years on.

James Lovett, who lives with his wife Jessie, 87, in Rochford, picked up the Arctic Star medal from James Duddridge, Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend East.

Mr Lovett, who joined the Navy at 19, served on Arctic convoy during the Second World War which delivered four million tonnes of cargo and munitions to the Soviet Union.

However, the voyages cost the lives of 3,000 seamen from the UK – the highest fatality rate of any maritime campaign in the war.

Mr Lovett’s children, daughters Elaine Mitchell, 65, Linda Strang, 66, and son, Danny, aged 57, applied for the medal on his behalf after Prime Minister David Cameron said medals should be awarded to Arctic veterans earlier this year.

Elaine said: “He was very surpised to recieve the medal, but he was absolutely thrilled. Memories of that time are often the most vivid for him. At the time it was an adventure, and was the only opportunity for foeign travel.

“Many people think it was a horrible time – and the conditions were certainly awful – but he talks of it with pride. We’re all so proud of him.”

The medal arrived in a padded bag in the post, so Elaine arranged for it to be presented by Mr Duddridge.

The MP said: “It was a great honour to be allowed to present an award to someone who has served our country in such a commendable way.

“If it wasn’t for the bravery of the men involved in the Arctic Convoy, the Second World War may well have had a different ending, and all our lives would be materially different.