A hero soldier who won a top gallantry award in Afghanistan has spoken of his delight after his seriously ill baby twin son was given a clean bill of health following crucial open-heart surgery.

Flight Lieutenant Matt Carter revealed how he feared for young Jack, born with two holes in his heart, while fighting the Taliban thousands of miles away.

Flt Lt Carter, who will receive the Military Cross from the Queen at Buckingham Palace this spring, was posted to war-torn Helmand province shortly after Jack and brother Harry were born.

At a civic reception staged in his honour by Worthing Mayor Tom Wye, Ft Lt Carter, 32, revealed: "My sons were three months old when I left for Afghanistan.

"I hated leaving them, especially because Jack had been diagnoised with two holes in his heart.

"It was a big wrench. He was due to have open-heart surgery while I was away in Afghanistan."

Flt Lieut Carter, of the Royal Air Force Regiment, served on the frontline with the Parachute Regiment during heavy fighting against the Taliban.

His gallantry in the face of "ferocious" enemy fire, during which time he repeatedly risked his life, resulted in him being the first member of the RAF Regiment to win the MC in more than 50 years.

His citation told how he directed close and accurate attack helicopter fire with devastating effect on the Taliban.

On another occasion the former Worthing High School pupil jumped 15ft in darkness from an airborne Chinook helicopter to call in air attacks on the insurgents just a few metres from his position.

But away from the intensity of battle, Jack's condition prayed on his mind.

Flt Lt Carter revealed at the Worthing Town Hall reception how the surgery had been successfully carried out, at St Thomas's Hospital, London, following his return from Afghanistan.

He said: "We found out about his condition when he was five weeks old. He had to go on to medicine.

"It was affecting his growth and development but he is now like a different boy after open heart surgery and a bypass.

"He has just been given the all-clear. We are absolutely delighted." Jack was still smaller than his brother but was now putting on weight.

Flt Lt Carter, his wife Ali, 30, plus Jack and Harry, now 14 months old, attended the reception with family and friends.

They were met by Councillor Wye, a former major in the Royal Engineers, his wife Lesley, and a guard of honour from members of Worthing 45F Squadron Air Training Corps.

Coun Wye presented Flt Lt Carter with a piece of crystal engraved with the borough crest as the soldier's proud parents, David and Jo, looked on.

The mayor said: "The Military Cross is a very high gallantry award, very close to the Victoria Cross."

Other guests included Flt Lt Carter's twin brother Andrew, his wife Helen and their two children Evie and Ben; his elder sister Victoria, her husband Matt and sons Oliver and Charlie; and his younger sister Louise and her husband Rod.

Flt Lt Carter told how, when the British first arrived, the Afghans thought they were Russians. Initially, the welcome was friendly but the mood changed when the Taliban moved in and forced villagers to take up arms.