EARLIER this week was the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, and we have taken a look back at the County Gazette coverage in April 1982.

The Falklands War was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic.

On April 2 1982, Argentine forces invaded the islands, which had been in British hands since the 19th century, sparking the sending of a Royal Navy task force south to recapture them.

A naval and land campaign followed which resulted in the recapture of the islands on June 14, although at the cost of 255 British lives. About 650 Argentines died in the conflict.

The headline on the front cover of the County Gazette on April 9, 1982 read 'Somerset fear over relatives in Falklands'.

Somerset County Gazette: County Gazette - Falklands War

The story was about how the county had a very strong link with the region and that many people had friends and loved ones living in the middle of a warzone.

A lot of people from the Crewkerne area in particular had relatives in the Falklands as many farm workers emigrated their in the 19th century.

In Taunton, Mr Hedley Thorne and his mother Mrs Stella Thorne were waiting and worrying over their sister and daughter Mrs Valerie Bennett.

She was a nurse who worked in the hospital in Port Stanley, the capital, which at the time of writing in 1982 was swarming with Argentine troops preparing to meet a British attack.

Somerset County Gazette: File photo dated 17/05/82 of the Union Flag and white ensign being raised on South Georgia.File photo dated 17/05/82 of the Union Flag and white ensign being raised on South Georgia.

Mrs Bennett was educated at North Town and Bishop Fox's School worked in Taunton hospitals before moving to The Falklands.

The Taunton Deane Council also made a comment on the escalating situation.

On a Tuesday night, they wished 'God speed and a safe return' to the British task force heading to The Falklands.

The leader of the Council, Mr John Meikle, who moved to the resolution, referred to Taunton's long history as a garrison town and said: We want to express our feelings to the Armed Forces at the present time".

The conflict lasted 74 days and ended with an Argentine surrender on 14 June, returning the islands to British control.