THE life story of an Altrincham war hero who is one of only two surviving British Victoria Cross winners, was released for the first time last week.

Outnumbered ten to one and shrugging off shrapnel wounds, Bill Speakman, 86, who grew up on Moss Lane, fought off a wave of attacks from 600 Chinese soldiers on an isolated hill for more than four agonising hours during the Korean War in 1951.

John Mulholland, from Sheffield, was invited by Mr Speakman to co-author his biography following a chance meeting with his son in 2003 - with the book finally unveiled a decade later at Waterstones in Altrincham on Saturday.

The sixty-one year-old, who signed copies for customers at the bookshop, said: "I have had a number of people approach me today telling me they have friends or family who knew Bill. He is still well known here and regarded as a hero."

The release of Beyond the Legend, is timely, as Mr Speakman is one of the official faces of this years Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal - his image adorning posters and billboards across the country.

The author said his book tells the story behind the picture of the veteran, dispelling the popular myth that he hurled beer bottles at the enemy, and revealing the truth surrounding the controversial sale of his Victoria Cross medal in 1982.

"He has a special place in history. The Queen has, directly and indirectly, invested 400,000 awards since being crowned - and Bill's Victoria Cross - the highest military honour for valour, was the very first she bestowed on anyone during her reign," he added.

With maps and 86 photos accompanying the chronicles of the six-foot-six soldier's life, Mr Mulholland, who himself worked in Altrincham for 26 years, hopes the town's towering hero, will now never be forgotten.