A war hero has spoken of his pride about being invited to take part in the London commemoration of the 70th anniversary of VE Day.

Robert Caton will line-up alongside other veterans, the royal family and politicians for the national service of remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Sunday.

The 90-year-old, who served the Royal Navy for 25 years, said he will "squeeze" into his uniform and be watched by his wife, Gene, 92, during a parade through the streets of London after the service.

He said: "I am delighted to have been asked to take part.

"I will be in a wheelchair and hopefully I will be able to squeeze in to my uniform, but I hope there will be a big crowd to watch it.

"It’s an important day for the country when you think about what everyone went through - and it’s obviously important to me because I was there."

Mr Caton, who was the civic Mayor of Watford in 1972 and a councillor between 1961 and 1974, was a lieutenant in the Navy for more than four years during the Second World War.

He served on a midget submarine ship and HMS Glasgow in the Far East. In total he spent 25 years in the Navy and Navy Reserves.

He was also the paymaster on HMS Jamaica when Queen Elizabeth took a trip to the Channel Islands. Mr Caton said: "The Queen’s cabin was next door to mine. It was an honour to be on there."

Friday marks the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day – the day the Second World War came to an end.

There will be three days of celebrations in the capital with beacons being lit up and down the country to mark the occasion.