HE was certainly a model soldier during the Second World War. Douglas Kay, now 82, served his country in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, and was only 19 when he took part in the D-Day landings.

Now, more than 60 years on, Mr Kay - born and raised in Darlington - is a model soldier once more.

A toy company in Hong Kong has used Mr Kay's likeness in its latest range of 12in soldiers.

The company has also used his name and image in advertisements - and even made him available for autographs at exhibitions.

"It's a bit strange to see a younger version of yourself as a toy," Mr Kay said. "I could never have imagined it in 1941, when I joined up."

The toy story began last year, when a friend of Mr Kay's noticed his Sherman Firefly tank from the Second World War had been made into a model.

"I wrote to the company in Hong Kong, Dragon Models, and told them it was exactly the same tank I was in during the war, down to the numbers," Mr Kay said.

"They phoned me back and said they wanted to make a model soldier, based on me. I couldn't believe it."

Mr Kay - a turret gunner for the 13th and 18th Royal Hussars - sent photographs of himself to Dragon Models, which, after a lengthy process, produced the 1:6 action figure. All 500 produced have been sold.

"I've got a copy, and so have my children and grandchildren. It's nice to know I'm a collectors' item.

"I was at an exhibition in Folkestone this weekend, which Dragon had promoted. I signed at least 1,000 autographs.

"I recently had a heart attack, so the model has made me feel a lot better - especially as it looks like Errol Flynn."

Mr Kay's granddaughter, Sarah Storey, of Brankin Drive, Darlington, said: "The whole family are really proud. Not many people can say their grandfather is a 12in action figure.

"His great-grandson, who is seven, loves playing with his toy soldiers. He can't wait for his great-grandad to come and lead them.

"It's terrific my grandad's achievements are still being recognised."

Mr Kay has also been awarded the Legion d'Honneur, France's highest honour for civilian or military valour.