A group of ex-servicemen who pioneered a new housing scheme in Wrexham, after they were left with nowhere to live following World War II, have been reunited after 50 years.

The five surviving men were brought together to promote this year's Royal British Legion's poppy appeal in the area.

Sixteen semi-detached houses were built

The idea to build the homes on Borras Park Road in Wrexham was first mooted by the British Legion in 1952 because of the long wait for council housing.

In what was believed to be the first project of its kind, 16 war veterans decided to take part.

Fomer Welsh Guard Trevor Jones is one of three remaining families still living on the same row.

He first stumbled across the scheme in a local newspaper.

"There were a lot more than 16 people interested but, when it was pointed out that it was going to be built in your spare time, 20 hours a week and would take about three or four years, quite a few fell by the wayside.

"It worked out that there were just 16 of us left," he added.

'Wonderful environment'

The homes cost �1,200 to build, and the average wage for a working man in the town was around �300 per year.

Building began in July 1953 after Wrexham council agreed to free up the land.

Mr Jones said the scheme was very demanding: "We had bricklayers, plasterers, joiners and about 40% of the scheme was carried out by us.

The need is still there from servicemen - we received 4,000 calls for help from last September in north Wales

Royal British Legion appeal organiser Gill Barwell

Despite the hard work, he recalled the camaraderie on the project, and said it had been a "wonderful environment".

The project was co-ordinated by John Heard, who served with the Royal Air Force in Africa and India until 1946.

"At the time, the building situation was really desperate - building and materials were on licence and cash was short," he said.

Mr Heard said he was pleased to meet his friends once again and relive the "good old days" while highlighting the work carried out by the Royal British Legion.

Appeal organiser Gill Barwell said it was important that people remembered war veterans.

"The need is still there from servicemen - we received 4,000 calls for help from last September in north Wales," she said.

The charity works to support 15 million ex-service men and women and their families.