Shropshire soldier Kim Hughes – awarded the George Cross for “outstanding bravery” – has returned to the county to a hero’s welcome.

There were emotional scenes at the home of the 30-year-old bomb disposal expert as he was reunited with his mother, Frances Trask, in Telford. Mr Hughes discovered he was to receive one of the military’s highest honours last week after being recognised as being “the bravest of the brave”.

The staff sergeant dismantled seven insurgent bombs by hand and without any protective clothing so five seriously wounded soldiers and the bodies of two dead comrades could be recovered.

Miss Trask, from Aqueduct, said: “I gave him lots of hugs and the first thing I said to him was ‘my boy, I’m so proud of you’.”

Since the news broke, the soldier, who serves with the Royal Logistic Corps, has appeared on television and had interviews with national newspapers.

But today he said he is just happy to be back in Shropshire.

He said: “I’m glad to be back for a few days so I can relax.

“It was good when I saw my mum, it was emotional and I saw my son, who I have not seen in a week.

“Everyone is over the moon for me to be honest. We work very closely together on the team and Stu, my friend, received the George medal so he told me of the magnitude and what would happen to me.”

The former Thomas Telford pupil said he was not expecting such an accolade.

“There was a rumour that I was going to get something, but I didn’t know what,” said Mr Hughes.

“I was on leave and I got called into work and told then what the award was and that I needed to be in London the next day – I was quite surprised to be honest.

“Since then I have been busy to say the least.”

Miss Trask added her modest son will still not take the praise he deserves.

“He went to McDonald’s with his son and people were coming up to him.

“He told me he just wanted a pair of sunglasses and a hat, he’s just so modest,” she added.

“But it was just crazy when he came back. I’m still stunned by it all.

“I can’t take it all in, I’m just so, so proud of him.”

By Jason Lavan