A former naval pilot is distraught after losing a book in which he logged his flights for more than 50 years.

Bill Williamson, who flew in the Second World War, had been to Shoreham airport to book a flight bought by his family as an 80th birthday present.

He put the logbook on the top of his car, forgot it was there and drove off. He returned half an hour later but it was nowhere to be seen.

All he found lying beside the road was an old photo of a painting he did of his first flight in Ceylon.

Mr Williamson, of The Moorings, North Lancing, said: "It was a record of most of my life and more like a diary than a logbook. It meant a great deal to me.

"Every flight I ever flew went into it, from those during the war right up to the present. Even now when my wife and I go abroad I write the flight in that book. I don't know what I will do without it."

The book details how he flew 13 different types of warplane, including Swordfish, Hurricanes and Barracudas, all over the world from 1943 to 1946.

It also includes cuttings, photographs and other mementoes of his life.

Mr Williamson was forced to cancel his birthday flight because the ticket was in the book.

His wife Betty said: "Bill can't sleep at night, he is so upset. I just hope someone returns it."

Mr Williamson is offering a £25 reward for the book's return. He lost it on Tuesday February 19 at noon.

Anyone who can help should call 01903 764634.