WAR heroes who served on arctic convoys and in bomber command - and their families - are being urged to claim their medals.

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris made the call after the Government announced new medals are to be created to recognise the role they played in the Second World War.

Families of those who have died will also be able to apply for the new awards in recognition of their loved ones’ bravery.

Production of the new Arctic Star medal and Bomber Command clasp starts this week and living veterans and widows will be the first in line to receive the new award.

Mr Morris said: “These new awards will go a small way towards recognising the enormous debt that we owe to those who displayed such bravery displayed fighting for our freedom.

“I would encourage all eligible veterans and their next of kin to apply for these new awards.”

Halesowen’s adopted destroyer, HMS Achates, was sunk while escorting a Russian convoy on New Year’s Eve 1942, with the loss of 113 crew and 81 survivors.