Europe's oldest man will be granted the freedom of the city of Brighton and Hove today.

First World War veteran Henry Allingham, 112, who lives at St Dunstan s in Ovingdean, will be made an Honorary Freeman of the City at a special meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council at Hove Town Hall. Councillors decided unanimously to give him the award after the Honour For Henry campaign in The Argus called for him to receive national recognition.

City council leader Mary Mears will tell the meeting: "Mr Allingham is a resident and we are fortunate that he has made the city his home.

"We are also extremely grateful for the time and effort that he has taken in speaking with schoolchildren about his life and war-time experiences."

The honour would be another in a string of accolades handed to Mr Allingham recently.

Earlier this year he was made the first honorary lifetime member of the Royal Naval Association (RNA), following on from receiving an upgraded Legion d'honneur from the French ambassador in London.

Last month he became Britain's oldest ever man when he turned 112 years and 296 days, surpassing Welshman John Evans who died in 1990 aged 112 years and 295 days. He will turn 113 on June 6.

Dennis Goodwin, Mr Allingham's long-time friend and founder of the First World War Veterans' Association, said: "Henry is very modest about his achievements.

"A familiar phrase that he uses is, 'Why me?' I tell him that he is famous and he has achieved so much at such a late time in his life, and that's what people love about him."

Upper Clapton-born Mr Allingham, who has lived through the birth of his first great-great-great-grandchild, joined the Royal Navy Air Service in September 1915 before transferring to the RAF in April 1918.

As well as being the last founder member of the RAF, he is also the sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland.