FORMER Battle of Britain pilots will line up with the widow of fighter ace Douglas Bader to help local aviation historian Dilip Sarkar launch his latest book.

Squadron Leader George Pushman DFC, from Madresfield, will be among the guests at the launch of Battle of Britain: The Photographic Kaleidoscope Vol III.

This takes place at Worcester Guildhall tomorrow (Saturday), from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free.

The 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, in which an elite group of fighter pilots put paid to German invasion plans, has put events of the summer of 1940 back on television screens. Mr Sarkar has researched and published a series of books on the RAF during the period, including an account of Malvern's Spitfire.

During the next 18 months he hopes to publish Johnnie's Kenley Spitfires, about Wing Commander Johnnie Johnson's command of the Canadian Wing.

The latest book, printed by Malvern-based Aspect, follows the format of the previous two volumes, a succession of photographs turned up by Mr Sarkar's researches. The author is also involved in moves to get a permanent memorial to the Battle of Britain on London's Victoria Embankment.

Bringsty sculptor Ken Potts, who has been commissioned to provide a design for the memorial, will be exhibiting a specimen name panel at the launch.

Events locally to commemorate the sacrifice of Fighter Command pilots include a service at Christ Church, Malvern, on Sunday, September 17, at 11am.