By Chris Hamilton BBC News Online

British veterans of the 1982 Falklands War have launched a fundraising appeal so more than 200 of them can make an emotional return to the islands.

The pilgrimage marking the conflict's 20th anniversary is designed to help those still suffering from psychological scars and, in the words of one of the organisers "lay a few ghosts to rest".

An aircraft has been chartered for the 8,000 mile journey to the South Atlantic later this year, which will cost �1,000-a-head.

There's not a day that goes by that I don't go back

Mark Shurben-Browne Falklands veteran

But most will need assistance with funding as many veterans have had difficulty holding down regular jobs since the war ended or were now pensioned off.

In a year with many reunions and memorial events the pilgrimage is seen as one of the most important, says Mark Shurben-Browne of the South Atlantic Medal Association.

He told BBC News Online: "It's a very good process to go through, it's recognised that going back to the scene of a trauma in your life is a good way to come to terms with things."

Mr Shurben-Browne served with 2 Para and saw action at Goose Green and Bluff Cove. He marked his 19th birthday running across a suspected minefield "scared out of my wits dodging artillery shells and mortars".

Suicide toll

On his return he plans to re-live the march from San Carlos - where British troops landed - to Goose Green. The soldiers coined the term "yomping" for the march from one side of East Falkland to the other.

He points out that more servicemen - 264 - have committed suicide since the war than died in the whole conflict.

He believes he speaks for many when he describes his reasons for joining the trip.

Mr Shurben-Browne said: "I still suffer all the time. I have nightmares, I have panic attacks for which I keep an inhaler by my bed. I've been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mark Shurben-Browne: Joined army at 17

"Every year it gets worse around May or June time [when the conflict took place] but this year with the anniversary media coverage it started around February or March.

"But I need to go back to lay a few ghosts to rest so that when I die I can die in peace."

With up to 250 now selected to go on the pilgrimage, scheduled for November to coincide with Remembrance Sunday, a special reunion is being planned for June in Gosport, Hampshire.

The reunion will be partly for those not making the trip south and partly a fund-raising event for those that are going.

The guests of honour over the two days will be former Falklands governor Sir Rex Hunt and ex-Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher.

Mr Shurben-Browne says some of the Falklands veterans going to Gosport have not seen former comrades for 20 years.

"It's going to be quite emotional and I'm sure there'll be a lots of tears, even from the paras and marines who are some of the hardest men you'll ever meet," he said.