D-DAY veteran Albert Johnson says he is "over the moon" after being reunited with his precious war medals.

The 78-year-old, from Acomb, York, gave his wife, Elsie, a kiss of joy after the two Normandy decorations were returned following an appeal in Tuesday's Evening Press.

Albert was heartbroken after dropping the medals while marching through York during the Remembrance Sunday parade.

But eagle-eyed parade marshal David Sykes-Waller, 55, who works at a butcher's shop, spotted them on the ground and later made an announcement in the Punch Bowl, in Stonegate, York, where veterans had gathered.

One of Albert's friends spotted the Evening Press appeal and told him to contact Mr Sykes-Waller, who was a former member of the Coldstream Guards.

"I'm very pleased - I didn't think I'd ever see them again," Albert said.

Mr Sykes-Waller said: "I'm delighted he has got them back. I went round the pub asking everybody if they had lost them."

Elsie said: "Albert got hold of me and gave me a big kiss - he was so excited."

Updated: 10:58 Thursday, November 13, 2003