AUTOGRAPH hunters were out in force when Worcester author Dilip Sarkar launched his latest book about the Battle of Britain - in the year of its 60th anniversary commemoration.

The third in his Kaleidoscope series contains snapshots taken by pilots in 1940 and also features colour pictures of veterans, taken at the Guildhall when the second book was launched in May, this year.

"These photos aren't the Press pictures that any Tom, Dick or Harry can get from the Imperial War Museum," said Mr Sarkar.

"If we hadn't published them they would never have seen the light of day."

Spitfire pilot William Walker was one of several war veterans at the launch.

He was shot down by a Messerschmitt Me 109 in August 1940, while a Pilot Officer with 616 Squadron.

A bullet pierced Mr Walker's right leg before he crashed into the Channel.

"The surgeon told me that when he prised it out, it flew up and hit the ceiling," he said. "I still have it today."

Bringsty-based artist Kenneth Potts has produced designs for a bronze sculpture dedicated to pilots who fought in the conflict.

Scale models of the designs, which would cost £400,000, were on display at the Guildhall. Three-quarters of the cash has been collected to site the sculpture along The Embankment, in London.

"It will probably take another 18 months before it's in position," said Mr Potts.

"The aim is to list all the pilots who took part on six panels around the memorial."

Gordon Mitchell, whose father Reginald Mitchell designed the Spitfire, said the memorial was "badly needed".