The undertaker came with his coffin, a little white box. It was the hardes day of my life ...we want a public apology

THE plight of nuclear test veterans is one of Britain's longest-running scandals.

- NICOLA METHVEN

Now, for the first time, some of the few last survivors will tell their stories in a BBC show that probes the full horror of what they suffered.

It tells how the weapons testing programme launched in the 1950s, and covers the fallout, missing medical files, government cover-up and long campaign for truth.

As well as featuring the families of veterans, it shows the shattering human cost of Britain's quest to become a global nuclear power.

John Morris was 18 when he was sent to Australia's Christmas Island in 1956 during his national service.

He says the men were not told why they were going but after witnessing four detonations as part of Operation Grapple, he now describes himself and his comrades as "human guinea pigs".

In 1962, John became a father for the first time but soon afterwards tragedy struck.

In Britain's Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story, he is overcome with emotion when speaking about the death of his newborn son.

John, now 86, tells the BBC2 film how Steven died suddenly in his cot aged four months, having shown no previous signs of ill health.

"The undertaker came with his coffin, a little white box," he says.

"It was the hardest day of my life.