Pretend para says sorry

Barry Simkins, 53, even managed to fool his long-term partner, Lorna, who is standing by him.

He even attended a Second Second World War parade in Para uniform ... though it was to prove his downfall.

When photographs were published on the internet of him taking part in a memorial parade in Minehead, real Paras realised his uniform and badges were fake.

Mr Simkins came clean and admitted he was never in the Paras, and had only been a Royal Engineers Lance Corporal.

It was a tale he told 12 years ago when he met a woman in a bar in Spain who was to become his wife.

But in fact he had lost his hand in an accident and not during service as he claimed.

Speaking to the County Gazette yesterday, Mr Simkins said he had only worn the uniform on one occasion and apologised for any upset he had caused.

"I did not understand the consequences of what I did at the time," he said.

"I did not go out to upset ex-Paras in any way ... it was total ignorance on my part."

Members of the Royal British Legion in Minehead believed for many years that Mr Simkins had served in the Falklands.

He added: "There were times that the subject had come up and I did not deny it.

"I thought I was not doing any harm.

"But I should have put it to bed years ago.

"But when the photograph was published, it all came out.

"I just want to put it all behind me."

Chairman of Minehead branch of the Royal British Legion, Tim Collins, said legion members were disappointed.

"He let everybody down, the Parachute Regiment and thousands of other people who were lost in the Falklands."

Concerns were first raised about Mr Simkins last year by a Legion member, now deceased, which led to him being ostracised by the group.

Mr Collins added: "He tackled him about it, and I also asked him what the situation was due to concerns whether he was genuine.

"But he said he was going to sue if it carried on and maintained his story."