A WAR veteran has won the opportunity to have his life story put into a book after winning a competition run by a Herefordshire cider maker.

Peter Hardee, 88, entered the prize draw run by Much Marcle-based Westons Cider by sending in five Westons bottle tops.

He is now due to work with professional writer Michelle Higgs and a book company to pen an autobiography detailing his life serving as an officer in the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment during the Second World War.

Mr Hardee, from Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, said he was astonished to discover he'd won the competition.

"I’ve never won anything before,” he said.

"This book will be something I can share with my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

"I’m really looking forward to telling Michelle lots of colourful stories about my past; the only problem is that I now have to remember them all."

After being written, the Book of my Life group will be editing the book.