A Battle of Britain fighter pilot who gunned down a German bomber despite being shot is to be honoured with a permanent memorial.

Flight Lieutenant James Nicolson was hit in an eye and a foot after his Hurricane was raked by bullets from the guns of a German Messerschmitt 110.

With his engine damaged and his petrol tank on fire, the 23-year-old airman thought briefly about baling out.

But, as he slid back the cockpit canopy and prepared to parachute to the safety of a field near Southampton, he spotted another Messerschmitt bomber below him.

Without thought for his own life he painfully climbed back into his seat and began firing on the enemy aircraft.

Despite suffering horrific burns to his hands he kept pressing the button to fire his aircraft's cannons, repeatedly hitting the Messerschmitt until it plunged to destruction.

Only then did Flt Lt Nicolson, who was on his first active patrol with 249 Squadron stationed at Boscombe, bale out.

His courage in 1940 earnt him the only Victoria Cross to be awarded to an RAF fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain.

He was later promoted to wing commander but died after the Liberator he was an observer in crashed into the sea off Calcutta, India, in May 1945.

A commemorative blue plaque and clock dedicated to his extraordinary bravery will now be unveiled at his family's former home on August 16.

It has been put up in his memory by David Munn, who now owns the detached house in Buckingham Road, Shoreham.

Wing Cdr Nicolson's parents moved there from Hove in 1940.

His father died in 1943, leaving the house in trust to the young airman and his sisters. Wing Cdr Nicolson often stayed there with his wife, Muriel.

The house stands close to the corner of Buckingham Road and Nicolson Drive, which was named after him.

A dedication ceremony will be held at the house in his honour at 2.15pm, followed by a low-level flypast by a Hurricane.

Officials due to attend include Air Vice-Marshal David Walker, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff at the Ministry of Defence, and Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge, Commander-in-Chief of RAF Strike Command.

Mr Munn said: "This is a unique opportunity to pay tribute to one of Shoreham's heroes and to draw attention to his links with the town.

"We are looking forward to a special day, particularly the flypast by the Hurrricane, which will cause us to remember James Nicolson's heroic deeds."

Wing Cdr Nicolson's widow Muriel is now 99 and is too frail to leave her home in Selby, North Yorkshire, to attend.

His sister, Jean Bhaines, now lives in Surrey but is also too frail to travel.

His nephews, John and Richard Marriott, from Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, will represent the family.

Wing Cdr Nicolson's Victoria Cross raised a record £110,000 when it was auctioned in 1983. It is now on display at the RAF Museum in Hendon, London.