The leader of an ex-servicemen's organisation joined forces with Falklands veteran Simon Weston to champion National Lottery funding for old soldiers, sailors and airmen.

Major Tom Wye, chairman of Worthing Combined Ex-Services Association, and former Welsh Guardsman Mr Weston met Lady Brittan, who is in charge of the Community Fund of the National Lottery.

The purpose of the meeting was to raise concerns among the ex-servicemen regarding lottery funding.

Gifford House, the Royal Star and Garter Homes and the Royal Air Force Association have all had requests for funding refused.

The lack of funding for the ex-services associations has recently been aired by Mr Weston, who suffered horrific burns when the transport ship Sir Galahad was bombed during the 1982 Falklands conflict.

Lady Brittan briefed the meeting on the problems of allocating funds and then listened to the concerns of the many associations and care homes that cater for ex-servicemen.

John Paxman, chief executive of Gifford House, Worthing, made an impassioned plea on behalf of the hospital-home and explained the need to raise vast sums of money just to meet the latest government-imposed legislation on care homes.

Similar presentations were made by other service charities.

Mr Wye said after the meeting:

"Lady Brittan and her staff listened patiently and raised many questions.

"As a result of this meeting, the various charities now have a direct line of communication with the Community Fund office, whose staff have promised to assist in any future bids.

"Obviously no commitments of funding were made but all departed with a feeling that future bids would at least have a fighting chance.

"Simon Weston, who does so much for the ex-service community, had done a fine job in bringing all interested parties together and we can only hope that it has the desired effect and much-needed funds are allocated to these deserving charities."