The remains of a Second World War Spitfire pilot which were found in the heart of East Sussex were being buried today hundreds of miles away.

Relatives of Pilot Officer William Hugh Gibson Gordon were gathering at Mortlach Cemetery, Dufftown, Moray, Scotland, to bury the Battle of Britain airman, whose uniform and remains were discovered near the crash site in Hadlow Down, near Uckfield.

William "Scotty" Gordon was just 20 when his plane was shot down by German Messerschmitt 109s over farmland on September 6 1940.

Some of his remains are believed to have been buried in the family grave in Scotland but a recent archaeological dig revealed bones and parts of his uniform.

Pilot Officer Gordon's niece, Elizabeth Ogilvie, was attending today's service along with RAF representatives, including Chief Technician William McDonald, related to the pilot through marriage.

A Tornado flypast was scheduled for noon.

Pilot Officer Gordon was one of seven killed in action over Sussex on the same day.

Earlier this month his comrade Bob Doe, 83, from Crowborough, said his former colleague was a delightful man. The pair served together on 234 Squadron.

Sue Raftree, of the RAF central casualty section, said: "The remains that have been found are small and will be buried with his uniform, which has also been found, in accordance with the family's wishes.

"He was a Battle of Britain pilot and, for that, he is remembered as a hero, as they all were."