VETERANS of military nuclear testing marched through the rain in Risca yesterday in honour of their comrades.

The annual parade has been held at Risca since the late 1980s to honour those servicemen and women who died or continue to suffer from Britain's nuclear testing in the 1950s.

Around 30 members of the public joined the march from Rifleman Street to the war memorial.

Captain Robert Jepson, of Risca Salvation Army, gave a speech and led prayers. The Salvation Army band played as wreaths were laid.

Caerphilly mayor Councillor David Wilt-shire said: "Considering the rain it's as well attended as could be expected. It's a very important event. The parade may not be that big but there's a dedicated core of people who support it."

Peter Williams, 65, Wales representative of the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association (BNTVA), of Llandeilo, said: "I was in two atomic bomb and two hydrogen tests. Now I get sudden, intense temperatures. "In the Gwent and Cardiff area at least 50 men were involved in these tests.

"We were so far away on the test islands that many at home forget what happened to us."

Standards were carried by the following groups: Risca Salvation Army, British Legion Abercarn Branch, 5th Risca Scouts, 212 Risca Squadron air cadets, sea cadets and St Johns Ambulance, including their junior section The Badgers.

Derek Heaps, 71, national vice chairman of the BNTVA, travelled from Derby to lay a wreath.

He said: "I'd like to thank the people of Risca for their support. A good number also watched from their doorways and from the pubs we passed."