A SOUTHAMPTON school will honour a man who defended the city from attack.

Of the nearly 3,000 aircrew who fought in the Battle of Britain, only one was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry.

James Brindley Nicolson, who defended Southampton from attack, was the only one.

In the battle, 544 people lost their lives, and a further 814 died before the end of the war.

Despite being awarded his VC for defending the city, there was no memorial remembering James Brindley Nicolson.

The children of Sholing Junior School have recognised this, and they will be unveiling a memorial plaque on Friday.

A spokesperson for the school said: "This is something that the children, teachers and wider school communities desperately wanted to change.

"We aimed to recognise the excellence within the city, by raising awareness of James Brindley Nicolson's contribution in its defence.

"It is of great importance that a lasting memorial should be put in place, in a prominent location to remember him, his bravery and the sacrifice of his friends."

Solent University have offered a location for the memorial plaque, in the Guildhall Square.

The school has been working closely with James Nicholson, nephew to James Nicolson VC, to honour his uncle.

The unveiling will take place in Guildhall Square on Friday at 11am.

Attendees of the unveiling will include children who have worked on the project, the RAF, MPs, the Mayor and Mayoress, Solent University vice chancellor and Bert Warne, a Southampton resident who survived three years in a Japanese prisoner way camp.

If the conditions are appropriate, a Chinook will fly directly over the civic centre.

Professor Graham Baldwin, vice chancellor at Solent University, said: "As soon as I heard about the campaign by students at Sholing Junior School, to have wing commander James Nicolson recognised in Southampton, I was struck by their passion and enthusiasm to create an opportunity to have him commemorated in the city.

"They have worked tirelessly for four years and I am proud that Solent University is able to be able to offer a space for the plaque to be located.

"Wing commander Nicolson served his country with courage and dignity and I am delighted for the children, that their hard work has paid off, and they have their dream a reality."