Britain's oldest known survivor of the First World War is to receive the freedom of his home town.

Civic leaders will honour 109-year-old Henry Allingham the last founder member of the RAF - at Eastbourne Town Hall on Tuesday.

The Mayor of Eastbourne, Graham Marsden, said: "It is a great pleasure to be able to bestow the freedom of Eastbourne upon Henry Allingham.

"He is a man of distinction and most worthy of the honour.

"He has served his country well, is a first class ambassador for the town and, despite his great age, still has a tremendous zest for life."

Mr Allingham, who turns 110 on June 6, began his military career as an Air Mechanic Second Class on September 21, 1915.

After graduating, he was posted to the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) air station at Great Yarmouth.

Shortly afterwards, he joined HMT Kingfisher, which was involved in the greatest naval battle of the Great War, the Battle of Jutland in 1916.

He transferred to the newlyformed RAF on April 1, 1918, and remained there until he was discharged in 1919.