A campaign is gathering pace for the final First World War veteran to be honoured with a state funeral normally reserved for monarchs.

Eastbourne Tory MP Nigel Waterson is the latest name to be added to a Commons Motion backing the idea.

Mr Waterson's constituents include 109-year-old Henry Allingham, the oldest of the ten last known survivors of the Great War.

Other public figures who have backed the suggestion of a state funeral include Falklands War veteran Simon Weston and Poet Laureate Andrew Motion.

It would be held for the burial of the last person to serve in the 1914-18 conflict, the first since Winston Churchill's 40 years ago.

But it would also symbolise the passing of a generation which endured the horrors of the battlefield.

Mr Waterson said: "We all owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our forefathers who fought with such courage and in such appalling conditions in the First World War.

"Now there are just a handful still living. And it seems to me entirely appropriate that in due course the last veteran should be afforded a full state funeral."

While support is growing for the campaign, the First World War Veterans Association said it would prefer its members to be celebrated while still alive.

The proposal has been put in writing to Tony Blair and must receive the Queen's consent.

However, problems may arise because there is no official list of the old soldiers.

The association said the number of veterans still alive goes up as well as down when it learns of previously unknown soldiers.

On March 28, Mr Allingham will be given the Freedom of Eastbourne at a civic ceremony at Eastbourne Town Hall.

Borough council leader Ian Lucas, said: "Henry Allingham is one of the last Tommys, having served in the Air Force during the First World War as well as the Second World War.

"We are privileged that he chose to make Eastbourne his home upon retirement and has chosen to stay here ever since."