Campaigners launched an appeal for a statue to a Gravesend war hero last night - and collected £1,000 a minute.

The late Squadron Leader Mahinder Singh Pujji (right) flew fighter planes in action in Europe, North Africa and the Far East during the Second World War, and won the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions against the Japanese.

The £100,000 appeal immediately brought in £70,000 from members of the local Sikh community who stressed it was a multi-cultural Gravesham appeal.

Twice shot down and wounded, Pujji lived until 2010 when he died in the town aged 92.

The mayor, Cllr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, said he was an extraordinary man, honoured by the town, the minority communities, Sikhs and the country.

Council leader John Burden said it was a community effort that would bring everyone together.

The statue is to be erected in a memorial garden at the Pelham Road/ Darnley Road junction.