A BATTLE of Britain pilot who lived alone was laid to rest on Monday surrounded by dozens of wellwishers and friends who attended his funeral.

Bill Machin, 94, who flew Hurricane fighter aircraft during the Second War, was in later years a familiar face in and around Altrincham where he took a keen interest in crime prevention.

Many of those attending his funeral at Altrincham Crematorium, included police friends, who formed a guard of honour.

During the Second War, Bill was based at RAF Tangmere, where the legless fighter ace Douglas Bader served as a wing Commander and led three Spitfire squadrons of the Tangmere Wing.

Bill who worked as a financial advisor and mortgage broker, lost his wife Noni in the early 1990s, and had lived alone since.

Neighbour and friend Jackie Newton who led the tributes, had said of him: "Bill was a great character, a highly intelligent man with a love of the English language, always holding the door open for people and standing when a lady left the dinner table."

GMP Inspector John Cave described Bill as: "amazingly dedicated" after he volunteered to run a crime prevention stall come rain or shine for more than 20 years.

Inspector Cave added: "Altrincham Police very much appreciate all the work Bill did for us."