BATTLE of Britain pilots helped a local aviation historian to launch his 60th anniversary tribute to "The Few" at the weekend.

The daughter-in-law of Air Chief Marshall Lord Dowding was on hand, together with 15 pilots and about six ground crew, to help Dilip Sarker launch the third volume of his Battle of Britain series.

Called Battle of Britain: The Photographic Kaleidoscope, Mr Sarker's book features a collection of personal photographs donated by pilots, support staff and their relatives, many of which have never been printed before.

Mr Sarker said the launch, at the Guildhall, in Worcester, was very successful.

"It was a nice day and a very nice atmosphere," he said.

"People travelled from all over the country to be there, but also from Australia, America, France and Belgium.

"Because it's the 60th anniversary this is the last big celebration that the veteran pilots will be about for. People realise that and so there is lots of enthusiasm being shown from all over the World," said Mr Sarker.

"A big cult following has built up around these guys and what younger people don't realise is that when the film Battle of Britain came out in the Sixties it was as big as Star Wars was. So for me to be sitting and talking to these guys would be like my son chatting to Obi-wan Kenobi!

"But you have to remember that these men are not TV icons. They did it for real."

Mr Sarker will be taking his book to the air show at Duxford this weekend.