'NEVER forgotten' was the message of the day as residents turned up to a street party in Hendon yesterday to honour Britain's wounded war heroes.

The Help for Heroes fundraiser united ex-servicemen, politicians and people of all ages for an afternoon of entertainment and family fun. But it also carried the strong message to honour and celebrate those soldiers who were injured while serving their country.

It was the brainchild of residents in Church End in partnership with Elaine Krasniqi, 50, manager of Chequers pub, in Greyhound Hill, as an extension of their successful St George's Day celebrations. It seemed a good way to raise more awareness of the harsh realities of war.

The death toll of British troops in Afghanistan has risen to 185 following 16 deaths this month alone.

Territorial Army Major Peter Murray, who helped get the event off the ground, said: "To tell you the truth, I feel a fraud to wear this uniform while so many of boys are out there in the front line. Maybe I can fight my battle for them here.

"It is fitting that there is a good mix of young and old here today. They young people are here to enjoy themselves, but in a more quieter moment they might ask what this is all about and start to understand what it means to give your life to fight for your country."

Deputy Mayor of London Richard Barnes attended the festivities which kicked off on the green behind the Claddagh Ring pub, in Church Road, at 12pm, before a host of performers took to the stage.

Vintage act the Polka Dot Dolls roused the crowd with Forties classics from old stars like The Andrew Sisters, Glenn Miller and Vera Lynn complete with a saucy troop-rallying routine.

Former prisoner of war Robert Clarke, 91, who served in the second world war, sang along word for word as he twirled the ladies on the dancefloor.

The Royal Artillery veteran, of Redhill Drive, Burnt Oak, said: "I remember all those songs. Once a soldier, always a soldier.

"I am proud to be here. If it wasn't for importants events like this, war veterans like me would just fade away. I see pictures of soldiers in the media and that doesn't show the real story.

"When I was liberated in 1945, I was nothing but skin and bones. We could see each other's ribs and still had to walk for miles on the Death March in freezing temperatures. Our only motivation was survival."

The team organisers raised nearly £2000 bag packing in Asda, in Colindale, and hope to raise a further a £4,000 at the close of the event. Emergency services, the Army, the RAF and the Navy also supported the event.