THE bravery of a fighter pilot was honoured by villagers who welcomed him to their golden jubilee street party at the weekend.

George Bennions, who flew Spitfires in the Second World War, was guest of honour in a street with which he will be forever linked.

The pilot's sacrifices in the war have already been recognised by his fellow residents in Catterick Village, North Yorkshire, where a street was named after him in the late 1990s.

On Saturday, residents of Bennions Way made him the guest of honour at their street party.

Mr Bennions won the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery in the air - a medal which was presented to the then squadron leader at Buckingham Palace by the wife of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth - later to become the Queen Mother - in 1946.

However, what makes him unique is that he is thought to be the sole surviving founder member of The Guinea Pig Club and The Caterpillar Club.

The first select band was made up of former patients of surgeon Archibald McIndoe, who pioneered treatment for air crew burnt or injured in battle, while the second was made up of those who successfully bailed out of their aircraft using an American parachute.

Mr Bennions lost an eye when a cannon shell from an enemy aircraft shattered the cockpit of his Spitfire, and he was subsequently treated by Mr McIndoe. He returned to hospital later in the war after he was injured during a landing on Corsica, while serving as a liaison officer with the American 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 whoever was involved in organising the party did a wonderful job."

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

"I was really impressed by the response and I think the street will feel much more friendly," he said.

"There is already talk of another event this summer.

"Perhaps there will be another street barbecue or something in a couple of months' time.

THE bravery of a fighter pilot was honoured by villagers who welcomed him to their golden jubilee street party at the weekend.

George Bennions, who flew Spitfires in the Second World War, was guest of honour in a street with which he will be forever linked.

The pilot's sacrifices in the war have already been recognised by his fellow residents in Catterick Village, North Yorkshire, where a street was named after him in the late 1990s.

On Saturday, residents of Bennions Way made him the guest of honour at their street party.

Mr Bennions won the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery in the air - a medal which was presented to the then squadron leader at Buckingham Palace by the wife of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth - later to become the Queen Mother - in 1946.

However, what makes him unique is that he is thought to be the sole surviving founder member of The Guinea Pig Club and The Caterpillar Club.

The first select band was made up of former patients of surgeon Archibald McIndoe, who pioneered treatment for air crew burnt or injured in battle, while the second was made up of those who successfully bailed out of their aircraft using an American parachute.

Mr Bennions lost an eye when a cannon shell from an enemy aircraft shattered the cockpit of his Spitfire, and he was subsequently treated by Mr McIndoe. He returned to hospital later in the war after he was injured during a landing on Corsica, while serving as a liaison officer with the American 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 whoever was involved in organising the party did a wonderful job."

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

"I was really impressed by the response and I think the street will feel much more friendly," he said.

"There is already talk of another event this summer.

"Perhaps there will be another street barbecue or something in a couple of months' time.