A SCHEME set up to highlight Wrexham's finest heroes has this month decided to honour the community's last remaining D-Day veteran.

The F Jones Initiative recognises those who contribute most to the Wrexham community and was originally established by Wrexham Lager and F Jones Food Service.

And one of its latest winners was 97-year-old Ted Edwards.

Ted grew up in Rhostyllen and his medals are numerous and include the French Legion of Honour award, the highest French Order of Merit.

Read more: Girl who tidied Cenotaph invited to D-Day service with Wrexham's last living veteran

He served with the Green Howards and landed on Normandy beach during the second World War.

But, during the war, Ted was injured and went to work as a driver for the officers for the Royal Army Service Core.

After that, when Ted came out of the army, he finished his apprenticeship at Pentre Felin and qualified as a sheet metal worker and went to work for Rubery Owen for over 30 years, then Cadburys in Chirk for 12 years and retired at 65.

A spokesperson for the F Jones Initiative prize said: "Ted hasn’t been back to Normandy, even though he has been awarded the French Legion of Honour award.

Read more: Wrexham woman's "wonderful" drawing and painting skills recognised by initiative

"He would be treated like royalty if he returned to France and wore the ribbon. However, he likes to organise events, but doesn’t want the glory.

"Prior to the pandemic Ted would go into to town every week with one of his friends. However, since Ted broke his femur 12 months ago, he has relied on his friends visiting him.

"Every week “the lads” as he fondly refers to them, visit him, his two 91-year-old friends arrive, 11am, on the dot, and stay for a couple of hours, drink tea and chat about old times.

"We feel very privileged to have heard some of Ted’s stories and touched by everything this wonderful man has done and is still doing with his life. What an inspiration to us all he is."