A FRENCH airman who served with the Allies during the Second World War has been honoured by the French government for his work in maintaining links between the UK and the continent.

Paul Deligne, who lives in York, has been made a Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mrite for his work forging links between France and the French Air Force Memorial at Elvington.

The former Flight Sergeant, who settled in York after the war, has also been recognised for his services to the Elvington French Air Force veterans' association.

Mr Deligne, a widower with one daughter, who lives off Stockton Lane, has worked with the Yorkshire Air Museum, at Elvington, for many years.

Derek Reed, a trustee of the museum, said Mr Deligne had been a "familiar figure" at every Remembrance Sunday service held there for almost 50 years.

Meanwhile, Doug Sample, a Canadian veteran of the war, who served as a gunner in Halifax bombers of the Canadian 415 Squadron, has made his 20th visit to York.

Mr Sample, from Quebec, is the president of the Canadian branch of the Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial.

Mr Reed said the former airman, who served at Eastmoor airbase, near Sutton-on-the-Forest, had been a major fundraiser for the Elvington-based charity and also contributed to the museum's Canadian hangar.

He said: "Mr Sample has made an unparalleled contribution to this aspect of Yorkshire aviation heritage."

Updated: 10:36 Monday, June 02, 2003