Relatives of a soldier who helped liberate a French village during the First World War are preparing to see his name honoured at a ceremony.

Representatives of the Canadian and British governments are also expected to attend the event in France to commemorate the village of Cagincourt, which was freed under the leadership of Captain George Burden McKean.

Capt McKean, who is buried in Brighton, was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in the First World War.

Just months later he was hailed a hero for his role in the liberation of Cagincourt and awarded the Military Cross.

After the war he left his home in Canada to live in Britain. He died in a sawmill accident in 1926.

His ashes are interred in the extra mural cemetery in Lewes Road, Brighton. Its upkeep is paid for by the Canadian government.

Little is known about his life in Sussex or why he came to be buried in Brighton.

David Greenfield, who works in Hove, is Capt McKean's nephew.

He will travel to France for the ceremony in September for the latest accolade to be bestowed on his uncle, who already has a mountain in Canada named after him.

Mr Greenfield has Capt McKean's binoculars and a book his uncle wrote called Scouting Thrills, which he wants to donate to a museum.

He said: "I'm going to drive out there with my wife for the ceremony. We thought it was right for a member of the family to attend the service."

He would also like to hear from other family members who might want to go to the ceremony, which takes place on September 6, on the 85th anniversary of Cagincourt's liberation.

It will also include the naming of the village square after Capt McKean, who led his battalion into a fierce fight to win the village, taking more than 1,000 Germans hostage.

The Canadian government has confirmed it will be sending a representative and the British government is also thought to be sending someone.

Canadian MP Roy Bailey told the Canadian parliament: "We must do more to recognise this historic battle. We must not allow this significant Canadian event to slip away.

"Let us join the French and a band of veterans and relatives from Canada to be with them on September 6."