A SECOND World War veteran has returned to the Netherlands to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.

Toby Thomas, aged 98, was touched by the gratitude shown by crowds of Dutch people at a number of memorial events.

Mr Thomas, of Haines Hill, Taunton, who was accompanied by his wife, son and daughter and their children, was asked for his autograph and had his photo taken by numerous locals.

He recounted how he and his colleagues came under constant German fire and how he was forced to swim across the river during the evacuation as there was no room for him in the boat with his troops.

Mr Thomas, who was a lieutenant in the 4th Parachute Squadron of the Royal Engineers, was given a beret by current soldiers to replace the one he was wearing at the time, which was destroyed by shrapnel.

Mr Thomas, the oldest surviving Bath rugby player, was recommended for the Military Cross for his bravery, although he narrowly missed out due to the high number of people put forward.