THE bravery of a fighter pilot was honoured by villagers at Catterick who welcomed him to their Jubilee street party.

George Bennions, who flew Spitfires in the Second World War, had a street was named after him in the late Nineties.

And on the Saturday of Jubilee weekend, residents of Bennions Way made him the guest of honour at their party.

Mr Bennions, who was a squadron leader, won the Distinguished Flying Cross, presented to him at Buckingham Palace by the Queen Mother in 1946.

Mr Bennions lost an eye when a cannon shell from an enemy aircraft shattered the cockpit of his Spitfire. He was injured for a second time during a landing on Corsica while serving as a liaison officer with the America forces in the Mediterranean.

On Saturday, the 89-year-old veteran was given his own 'throne' and invited to judge the children's fancy dress competition, handing each a certificate to commemorate the occasion.

"I never expected anything like this," he said. "Having a street named after you is quite an honour, but I was thrilled to be invited to the residents' party and amazed so many of them knew so much about me. I was monarch of all I surveyed for a little while, and those involved in organising the party did a wonderful job."

Residents' spokesman Mark Milton said everyone who had taken part deserved credit for an afternoon which had generated a real sense of community.

"The street will feel much more friendly,"' he said. "There is already talk of another event this summer, so perhaps there will be another street barbecue or something in a couple of months' time."