Britain's oldest known First World War veteran thanked "cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women" for his longevity as he was bestowed the freedom of his home town.

Henry Allingham, 109, said he was profoundly honoured to receive the freedom of Eastbourne during a ceremony at the town hall.

He was steadied on his feet by close friend Dennis Goodwin as he was handed a scroll on special vellum paper, a badge of honour and a bottle of malt whisky from Eastbourne Mayor Graham Marsden.

Mr Allingham, the last founder member of the RAF, appeared to wipe tears from his eyes as civic leaders lined up to pay tribute to his long life.

Afterwards, he said: "I have enjoyed Eastbourne very, very much and I would like to say to everyone Come to Eastbourne'.

"I have a lot to thank the town for. It has brought me so much happiness living here. Eastbourne really has made my life."

Asked about the secret behind his long life, he replied: "Cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women - and a good sense of humour. But I make sure I keep within my limitations."

Mr Allingham wore the Legion D'Honneur medal, France's highest military honour, which he received in Eastbourne in 2003 as he thanked the small audience of dignitaries for attending.

He signed his name in the council visitors' book which was first signed by the Queen on October 28, 1966.

He was due to receive the freedom title last month but had to postpone after being admitted to hospital with a chest infection.

Eastbourne Borough Council leader Ian Lucas said: "It is certainly a real privilege to be here and to be able to honour a man who has been alive in three separate centuries.

"It is frankly astonishing and truly humbling to be in the presence of a man who saw action in the First World War."

The freedom of Eastbourne is an honorary title and does not give any special privileges other than the right to attend civic functions in the borough.

Born in London in 1896, Mr Allingham - who turns 110 on June 6 - began his military career as an Air Mechanic Second Class on September 21, 1915.

After graduating, he was posted to the Royal Naval Air Service air station at Great Yarmouth.

He then joined the armed trawler Kingfisher, which was involved in the greatest naval battle of the Great War, the Battle of Jutland in 1916.

He transferred to the newly-formed RAF on April 1, 1918, and remained in the service until he was formally discharged in 1919.

He married Dorothy Cater in Chingford, Essex, shortly after he left the Royal Naval Air Service in 1919.

She died in 1970, ten years after they had moved to Eastbourne. The couple had two daughters.

Mr Allingham has five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren - all living in America.

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