A SPITFIRE fly-past marked the final farewell to an RAF hero.

Squadron Leader William Drinkell, known as Bill, died aged 91 last month.

The Lancaster bomber pilot from Colchester flew 30 raids during the Second World War during an RAF career spanning 30 years, taking him across the globe.

His funeral was held at Colchester Crematorium on Friday and the Spitfire flew over the wake ceremony in Peldon.

Although Sqdn Ldr Drinkell flew with Bomber Command he began his RAF career as a fitter working on Spitfires.

Owned and flown by Caroline Grace the fighter plane completed several low level runs before signing off with a familiar barrel roll as it climbed and headed back over Colchester to its base at Duxford.

Friends and family at the wake said the fly-past a fitting tribute to a true hero.