A FALKLANDS War hero who was sent to the islands three weeks before the Task Force arrived has put his medals up for auction - and they could go for £10,000.

SBS Royal Marine Sgt Tim Collins won the Military Medal for gallantry after he and three colleagues hid in a hole in the ground and reported on Argentinian troop movements. The men became known as the Interflora Squad because they had to cover themselves in new foliage each day to stay camouflaged.

Sgt Collins, now in his 50s, also won the South Atlantic Medal with rosette.

He auctioning them along with his General Service Medal with Northern Ireland clasp and his naval long service medal.

Also going under the hammer is a picture of the Interflora Squad drawn by a war artist.

He is selling his medals to prevent his children arguing about them when he is gone.

This year is the 25th anniversary of Argentina's failed attempt to conquer the British sovereign territory in the South Atlantic.

Chris Copson, from Charterhouse Auctioneers in Sherborne, who is selling the collection, said there was huge interest in anything connected with the SBS.

He said: "Sgt Collins was in 3 Company SBS and was part of a four-man team put on the island three weeks before the invasion.

"They set up an observation post above St Carlos and reported on Argentinian movements by radio.

"To conceal themselves they used cam nets and foliage and had to keep changing the foliage or it would turn brown and give them away.

"They became known as the Interflora Squad because of this.

"However, they became compromised when the BBC reported that special services were on the islands.

"The men fled the observation post and went to hide on a penguin colony.

"Although they were armed with armalites with rocket launchers, even four SBS men would not have had a chance against the entire Argentinian army.

"He has four children and is selling his medals because he didn't want them squabbling about them when he is gone.

"Anything from the special services is extremely desirable for collectors of militaria.

"And as well as the medals there is a lovely drawing of the Interflora Squad in their hide on the Falklands.

"We've put an estimate on the collection of between £6,000 and £8,000, but I think that is conservative and I would expect it to raise more than that."

The sale takes place on September 21.