Dame Vera Lynn: Spitfire flypast marks funeral

Two Spitfires flew over the funeral procession of Dame Vera Lynn as family, friends and fans said goodbye to the Forces' Sweetheart.

Her cortege was accompanied by the Battle of Britain flypast as it travelled through Ditchling in East Sussex at midday.

Dame Vera died last month at the age of 103 and her funeral was held at Woodvale Crematorium in Brighton.

The World War Two fighter planes made three passes over the village.

Hundreds of people had gathered to await the arrival of the cortege and the crowd applauded as the aircraft flew over.

Representatives from the Royal British Legion stood with flags as they waited to honour Dame Vera.

The funeral procession stopped at the crossroads in the centre of Ditchling, where the singer lived for 50 years, to allow people to pay their respects.

Later, as the procession made its way out of the village, there were shouts of "hip hip hooray" from the crowd.

The cheers were followed by a spontaneous rendition of We'll Meet Again, one of the songs Dame Vera was well-known for.

A private service at the crematorium chapel included music from a bugler from the Royal Marines.

The family said a full memorial service would be held at a later date.

Dame Vera's daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, said Ditchling had always been special to her mother.

"That is why we know she would be touched that so many people want to pay their respects," she said.

She also urged people to continue to back the causes that were important to her mother, adding: "We are sure her music will endure forever but most importantly, we hope that people will continue to support those charities that she cared about so much.

"It means so much to us to see my mother's legacy living on."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted footage of the flypast, saying it has been "a farewell befitting a truly great Briton".

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Dame Vera's work would never be forgotten.

"Her support helped to sustain the fortitude of British personnel deployed around the world and those waiting for them to return," he said.

Chief of Defence Staff Sir Nick Carter said the Armed Forces would be "forever grateful" to Dame Vera, adding: "Her lasting legacy of lifting spirits will remain."

By Peter Whittlesea, BBC News

Every lamppost in the narrow streets of Ditchling bears a large poppy.

Union flags flutter in the breeze and shop windows display portraits of the woman who became known as the Forces' Sweetheart.

Camera crews and photographers have descended on the village along with servicemen and women who have come to pay their respects.

It is a fond farewell for Dame Vera.

A picture of Dame Vera and a video were projected on to Dover's white cliffs ahead of her funeral.

The lyrics of We'll Meet Again appeared as the music was played across the English Channel.

The projection on the 350ft cliffs was visible to ships and planes and could also be seen from the main road and some back gardens.

The singer was best known for performing hits such as We'll Meet Again to troops on the front line.

Dame Vera, who had sold more than a million records by the age of 22, was also remembered for singing The White Cliffs Of Dover, There'll Always Be An England, I'll Be Seeing You, Wishing and If Only I Had Wings.