WWI veteran 'stable' in hospital

Henry Allingham (right) will be 110 on 6 June

Britain's oldest World War I veteran Henry Allingham is "stable and doing fine" after being admitted to hospital with a chest infection.

Mr Allingham, who is 109, was admitted to Eastbourne District General in East Sussex on Sunday but is expected to be discharged within the next four days.

He had to pull out of a ceremony on Tuesday night when he was to have been given the freedom of his home town.

Eastbourne Borough Council said the event would be rearranged.

Mr Allingham, the last surviving founder member of the RAF, turns 110 on 6 June.

He received France's highest military honour, the Legion d'Honneur, at Eastbourne Town Hall in 2003.

His close friend, Dennis Goodwin, founder of the First World War Veterans' Association, said: "He is very mentally alert and mentally strong and he talks about doing things within the limits of his capabilities.

"He is a real role model."