A young pilot from Burgess Hill who gave his life in the Battle of Britain will be remembered at a service in the town next month.

The two surviving brothers of Sergeant Pilot Philip Norris will attend the Battle of Britain Day service at the war memorial in Church Walk on September 15.

Philip Norris was one of seven children of the late William and Florence Norris. The family lived in Leylands Road in the house next to the gas works provided by the company for his father, who was site manager.

Philip loved boxing but he was also so keen on flying that he joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve before World Ward II started.

He gave up his bank job and volunteered for active service when war broke out in 1939.

Philip's Hurricane was shot down while 213 Squadron was fighting off an attack by Junkers JU88 bombers and Stuka JU87 dive bombers over Portland in Dorset.

His body was later found washed up on the French coast. It now rests with 111,435 other war dead in the Commonwealth Commission military cemetery at Etaples in France.

Guy Voice, of Burgess Hill Royal British Legion, said: "During the time Philip was killed, the squadron was flying up to eight patrols a day, more often than not, losing one or two aircraft and pilots a day.

"The service will remember the parts played by the many people involved during the summer of 1940. We will also remember Sergeant Norris."

Philip's brother Lew, 75, will travel from France for the service.

His other surviving brother, Leslie, 86, lives in Clayton Avenue, Burgess Hill, and won the Military Cross in Germany with the 52nd Lowland Division in the final months of the war.

He said: "It is very nice he will be remembered. It is quite something.

"It will be the last time the Battle of Britain will be remembered by many people. It is 60 years ago and all the characters have gone."