Donald Rose: Spitfire flypast for UK's oldest WW2 veteran

Donald Rose celebrated his 109th birthday on Christmas Eve

The UK's oldest surviving World War Two veteran will be honoured with a flying visit from Spitfire.

Donald Rose, who turned 109 on Christmas Eve, will see two of the iconic aircraft pass over his care home in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, on 6 May as they take part in the RAF's Battle of Britain memorial flight.

He was born in 1914 and served on the front line with the 7th Armoured Division.

The flypast takes place at 13:45 BST.

Mr Rose joined the Queen's Royal Regiment aged 25 and served in North Africa and Europe before training as a sniper.

Mr Rose's war medals include France's highest award - the French Legion of Honour

Last year a public appeal for people to send him birthday cards saw him receive more than 150 messages from well-wishers, while he received a visit from the Mayor of Erewash on the most recent Armistice Day.

Naomi Allsop, who works at Mr Rose's care home and helped to organise the tribute, said it was something that had been on his "bucket list".

"He's a beautiful soul inside and out," she said.

"All the staff love him."

Erewash Borough Council says the flypast for Mr Rose takes place amid a range of events to commemorate World War Two and honour the armed forces.

Deputy mayor Kate Fennelly said: "Having served in the RAF I have the utmost respect for our courageous old soldiers, especially world war veterans like Donald.

"There are fewer and fewer left who we can talk to face-to-face about their experiences."