AROUND 100 aviation historians and close friends paid tribute to one of Britain's most decorated Second World War fighter pilots at his funeral.

Squadron Leader Neville Duke, of Lymington flew 485 operational sorties during the war and achieved 28 air combat victories, including seven aircraft shot down in seven days, to become the most successful pilot in the Mediterranean theatre of war.

Sqdn Ldr Duke, 85, died after suffering an aneurysm following his last flight with his wife Gwen, 86, last month.

Mourners turned out to pay their respects for the fighter pilot at his funeral service at St Andrew's Church, Tangmere, near Chichester.

His wife was too fragile to attend.