A DEVASTATED war veteran who found his camera had no film in it after an emotional pilgrimage to the beaches of Dunkirk is set to retrace his steps.

Percy Williams said he was shattered when he realised the camera used to take photographs during the anniversary trip of the Dunkirk evacuation was empty.

The veteran, who has seven medals for his wartime service, saved his pension for five years so that he could meet up with old colleagues for the 60th anniversary.

He had not seen some of them for more than 50 years.

"I've really had my leg pulled about this," he said.

"My partner bought me the camera for the trip and I thought there was a film in it. Every time I took a photo the camera seemed to wind on and the number went up so I was sure a film was in it.

"I couldn't believe it when I was told there was no film after taking it to be developed, I thought I was being wound up. And when I realised I wasn't, I was devastated."

The 80-year-old - who enlisted with the Warwickshire Regiment in 1939 - was offered films from other veterans, who made the pilgrimage in July.

Mr Williams will revisit Tournai, where he was one of 56 survivors from a 1,000-man battalion after Germans attacked it in May 1940.

After hearing about Mr Williams's plight, Colour Sergeant Pete Elcock of Worcester's Army Careers Centre, Foregate Street, developed a film donated by another veteran who had made the same pilgrimage.

The album of pictures is to be presented to Mr Williams at the Royal British Legion Club in Droitwich tonight.

"I'm very grateful for the photographs, the efforts and generosity of all who arranged this," said Mr Williams of Camp Hill, Chawson, Droitwich.

"It was very kind of the others to offer me their films, but it's still not quite the same as having your own.

"I'm going to retrace July's visit in the near future, although I haven't set a date yet. I want my own photographs as they will have more sentiment."