YET again, it is announced that the Spitfire Fighter Plane “Memorial” is on its way.

£4 million worth of Boys Own Comic unreality. This is not a solemn tribute to those who gave so much, but rather a gaudy tourist attraction.

In these horrific war weary times, would it not be far more appropriate to channel such charitable funds towards todays ex servicemen, so many of whom are homeless and seemingly abandoned? We are nearly 80 years late, and in fact there are already many tribute sites around the country that have commemorated the Spitfire story.

Southampton has for many years had an aircraft museum of sorts tucked away somewhere near the Itchen Bridge (not that it’s exactly high profile).

Its failure to provide a meaningful tribute to the Spitfire/Woolston war time effort says it all.

Surely I can’t be the only one who feels uncomfortable. There has to be a better way of recognising our city and the wartime sacrifices made in order to retain our independence and right to self govern.

Mr J C Martin

Hedge End