A fundraising drive to create a National Spitfire Monument at Southampton close to the legendary fighter’s spiritual home, has been launched.

If successful, the structure will commemorate all the men and women from more than 30 allied countries who designed, built, flew and maintained the aircraft during World War Two. Standing some 40m tall, it will be a gleaming stainless-steel structure featuring a representation of the aircraft – 1.5 times the size of an original – on top. Various roundels and emblems will be displayed around the base.

The monument has official backing at national and local level – with £3m match funding promised by UK Government, and the support of Southampton City Council. Project chairman Cllr John M Hannides said: “The Spitfire has great international importance, with a silhouette that inspires hope and a sound that inspires awe.

Thanks to government funding, we’ve secured half the money already to build this stunning monument, and now we need the public’s help to raise the remaining £3m. Every penny counts – it’s a monument in peacetime that sends a message: we will remember them.”