Simon Weston has founded a national youth charity

He founded Weston Spirit charity, a national youth charity tackling issues of social exclusion.

The former Welsh Guardsman suffered horrific burns during an attack on the Sir Galahad during the Falklands War.

He will talk on Tuesday night at the European Social Fund Equal conference being hosted by the University of Manchester at the city's town hall.

Dr Tilak Dias, from the university, said: "We hope that this conference, with the help of prominent figures like Simon Weston, will help to highlight the inequalities which businesses and employees in this industry still face."

Weston Spirit has centres throughout England and Wales, including in Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

The conference will seek to highlight initiatives across the UK which are addressing major issues facing businesses and minority employees.

The aim is to find innovative new ways to promote sustainable economic growth and social inclusion.