AN 82-year-old sailor who served on a Second World War destroyer keeping Russia's struggle against the Nazis afloat has received a medal more than half a century later.

Donald Harman spent two years as a sub-lieutenant with HMS Savage from 1943 escorting ships ferrying vital supplies of food and weapons to the North Russian port of Murmansk.

As a delayed commemoration of the 50th anniversary of VE day in 1945 Mr Harman was invited to London this month with his wife, Pat, to meet the Russian ambassador and collect his medal for his contribution to the "fight against fascism".

Although he does not remember the Russians "being very profuse with their thanks at the time" he said he was very pleased by the gesture.

"I feel we deserve something. I wasn't looking for it but it's happened and I'm very delighted to go and receive it off them," said Mr Harman, of Blakebrook, Kidderminster. Donald Harman with his wife Pat.

He completed up to five trips to the Russian far north, each time escorting about 35 supply ships - five or six of which were typically sunk by German U-boats - with up to eight other warships.

The freezing journey took a week each way and the Royal Navy ships also fell victim to enemy attacks.

"We had a navy ship which was sunk right ahead of us.

"That was one of the nearest misses," said Mr Harman.

"In the end the U-boats used to congregate near where you entered the Kola inlet by Murmansk.

"It was very calm and very narrow and everything had to go in the same direction. It was the most dangerous point undoubtedly."

The open seas were slightly less perilous thanks to the "diabolical" weather and a constant zig-zagging tactic but Mr Harman said crews were too busy to realise the danger they faced.

"It was frightening but you didn't really have much time to think about it - you were either on duty or you had your head down."

Mr Harman has less than fond memories of the Russian hospitality once they had docked. "We used to go to the Russians' idea of a social club. It was terrible," he said.

Despite learning Russian phrases like "would you like to dance" or "I love you" romance seldom flowered under the constant gaze of the NVKD - the forerunner of the KGB.

But the old sailor is full of praise for the Russians' courageous struggle against the Nazis and said the equipment unloaded at Murmansk such as tanks helped the country win battles like the epic siege of Stalingrad.