Thatcher unveils Falklands arch

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Baroness Thatcher has met Falklands veterans and unveiled a commemorative arch in a Hampshire town to mark the 25th anniversary of the conflict.

Hundreds of residents lined the streets for the former prime minister's appearance in Fareham on Saturday.

One hundred and seventy Royal Naval personnel from aboard HMS Collingwood also marched through the town.

Baroness Thatcher was prime minister during the 1982 crisis when Argentina invaded the islands.

A total of 255 British and about 650 Argentinians lost their lives in the 74-day conflict.

Lady Thatcher shook hands and spoke with well-wishers in Fareham

Baroness Thatcher listened as Falkland veteran and former chief petty officer Derek Kimber told the crowd: "The British nation has always been slow to anger and respond but in the course of 1982 we had no other choice but to either bow down to a bullying regime or stand and fight."

She was then joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mary Fagan, to unveil the Falklands Arch.

Fareham Borough Council commissioned the £25,000 piece of ironwork to commemorate those who lost their lives in the war.

Blacksmith Peter Clutterbuck, from Portsmouth, created and installed the arch which contains 82 pennies to represent the year of the conflict.