THE last surviving member of a band of British war heroes who defended Russia in its hour of need has marked the occasion more than 60 years later.

Former fighter pilot Eric "Ginger" Carter, of Chaddesley Corbett, was one of 38 British pilots sent by Winston Churchill to protect the Murmansk Corridor against Germany in 1941.

As Hitler's forces surrounded Leningrad and were within 10 miles of the gates of Moscow, it was essential the sea corridor remained open so supplies could get through to the battle-scarred, starving Soviets, who had been blitzed by the German's lightning invasion. Eric Carter holds his Russian pilot's cap badge and the passport which saved his life.

And 61 years later Mr Carter presented Lt Col Padel Kulikov, of the Russian Embassy, with a painting of a Hurricane fighter plane protecting Russian bombers in the successful mission from August 1941 to January 1942.

Mr Carter, 82, said: "I believe I am the only one of the 38 left. Two were killed in action and the remainder have sadly died since. I was one of the youngest at 21 when the mission started - it is something I shall never forget.

"Now the Cold War has ended I have been able to return to Russia more often and it was very nice to meet Lt Col Kulikov and present him with the picture." Flying ace Eric Carter presents Lt Col Pavel Kulikov with a picture commemorating the defence of the Murmansk Corridor.

The flying ace is no stranger to meeting Russian dignitaries.

He escorted the Queen in 1994 on the first state visit to Moscow since the Russian Revolution and a year later he visited Lenin's tomb with John Major to honour the dead.

And he is keeping the flame burning for the brave pilots who aided Stalin's regime as it faced certain defeat.

He said: "It was a great move by Churchill. When we arrived in Murmansk the Russian's morale was so low but we were able to lift them by protecting the convoys, escorting their bombers, and showing them how to fly Hurricanes.

"I will never forget the freezing temperatures. It was minus 40 and we had to start up the engines every 40 minutes or they would freeze. We slept in our flying jackets and were aided by the only thing in plentiful supply - vodka!"

Mr Carter, who shot down 14 German planes, said there were a few "nasty moments" in his time there.

He explained: "The Germans were only 10 miles away and Murmansk itself was like Beruit in the snow it was so bombed and battered.

"We were issued with Russian passports which saved my life on more than one occasion by my waving it in the air, because in that climate of fear the Russians shot first and asked questions later."

Mr Carter, who is an honorary colonel of the Russian Squadron and was awarded the wings of the Russian Airforce, made the presentation at a special lunch held by the Worcestershire Branch of the Aircrew Association at the Granary Hotel, Shenstone.

The names of the 38 British pilots are listed at the bottom of the painting, sadly only the valiant Chaddesley Corbett flying ace remains.