A RETIRED city artist is hoping to complete a life-size model of music legend Glenn Miller in time for the 60th anniversary of the musician's disappearance.

Maurice Jones, from Colin Road, Barbourne, has sculpted the star's head from wood and modelling putty, complete with real hair from a barber's shop, glasses and US Army cap.

He is now preparing to work on the body so the model will be ready for December 15, the diamond anniversary of Major Glenn Miller's disappearance.

Ironically, had he lived Miller would have celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday.

"I am a big fan of his music, with all the tapes and CDs, and I wanted to make the model," said Mr Jones.

"As I have a keen interest in the Wellesbourne Aviation Museum, Stratford, and Glenn was in the US Army Air Force, I'm hoping to display the model there in full uniform.

"Then all we need is a trombone."

The Glenn Miller Band entertained more than 1.25 million soldiers during the Second World War.

In addition, it made more than 500 radio broadcasts for the pleasure of millions of other soldiers.

On December 15, 1944, he took off from England on a flight to Paris to make arrangements for transferring his band to France, and was never seen again.

Mr Jones has already earmarked Hollywood legend Colonel James Stewart as his next project.