A BRAVE soldier was given a hero's welcome as pub regulars showed their support for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan with a special fundraising night.

Corporal Robert Moore, who received the Military Cross for bravery from the Queen, was feted by staff and customers at the Carlton, in Leigh Broadway.

The guest of honour, who serves with the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment, single-handedly fought off ten Taleban fighters during an ambush in the Helmand province, in April last year.

His fellow soldier Chris Grey was killed and Cpl Moore was shot in the arm, yet he refused to leave the area until he had made sure all his comrades were safe.

After just four months of recuperation in the UK, Cpl Moore, 31, was back in action in Helmand.

His dad, also Robert Moore, 62, of Kings Rd, Westcliff, went along to the charity night to give his son some support.

He said: "It was a very good evening. Rob spoke to one lad in the pub who is going over to Iraq later this year, just to give him a bit of a boost.

"He told him to lie to his mother so she wouldn't worry as much."

Speaking about his son's actions, Mr Moore added: "I'm more proud of him for going back than the other stuff, because he had no choice in it.

"He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and did the right thing. It's all too easy to forget these boys and girls are over there fighting, because they are so far away.

"They don't want to have to be brave, they just want to come home alive."

The evening raised £550 for the St Dunstan's charity for ex-serv-icemen and women who have lost or damaged their sight.

The event was organsied by Jimmy Yeomans, who approached landlady Linda Taylor to ask if he could use the pub in The Broadway, Leigh.

Mrs Taylor said she wouldn't hesitate to hold another fundraising night.

She said: "I'm all for it because once these ex-soldiers go out of the Army they are kind of left to their own devices.

"I think everyone needs a little bit of help. My regulars have been so supportive."