Gulf War veterans in Bradford have cautiously welcomed news of an independent inquiry into the sickness they claim has ruined their lives.

Pudsey veteran Frank Clarkson, 45, and fellow former serviceman Mark Williams, 39, of Bierley are still campaigning for the Government to recognise the Gulf War Syndrome they say has destroyed them.

The men, who are among about 50 Bradford veterans who fought in the conflict, hope the inquiry will help to get the Ministry of Defence to surrender and finally acknowledge the controversial condition - but they have their doubts.

The inquiry will be chaired in public by retired senior law lord Lord Lloyd of Berwick and it will be the first of its kind into the cause of illnesses affecting up to 5,000 veterans from the 1991 conflict.

Mr Clarkson, who is still fighting for his right to get a war pension, said: "The Ministry of Defence just refuses to believe that Gulf War Syndrome exists and it won't pay out.

"Hopefully this inquiry will be open and fair and will prove that they are wrong to dismiss it.

"The inquiry is excellent news - it's something we have all been waiting for."

After leaving the Army, Mr Clarkson worked as an electrical appliance engineer but had to give it up after he was struck down with symptoms he blamed on drugs given to him in the run-up to and during the Gulf War.

At first he suffered slow thought-processes and lethargy but his condition has worsened - he has difficulty getting upstairs, has irritable bowel syndrome, aching joints and terrible short-term memory.

Father-of-two Mr Williams, is still undergoing brain scans because of his concentration and black-out problems.

Previous scans have shown scarring spots on his brain but doctors are still mystified.

He was forced to stop long-distance driving for a living because of his black-outs after leaving the Army in 1995. Now he works part-time as a cash and carry manager.

He said: "The cocktails of drugs they gave us for the Gulf were never tested together, only separately. There are thousands of us suffering but we are being ignored by the MoD who just don't care.

"I hope the inquiry will change this but we are used to being promised great things and getting nothing so I won't be holding my breath."

Both men are members of the National Gulf War Veterans and Families Association which fears the inquiry could be a whitewash.

The association's vice-chairman, Shaun Rusling, said members needed reassurance about the investigation's remit and what co-operation the Government would give.