The decorated war hero denied a place at the unveiling of a war memorial will be going to the ceremony after all.

There was international outrage after The Press revealed that former rear gunner Freddie Johnson DFC, 91, had been refused a ticket to the ceremony on June 28 in Green Park, London, when the Queen will reveal the £6.5 million sculpture constructed in honour of his fallen colleagues in RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War.

But now after his MP Nigel Adams and others took a hand, Mr Johnson and his wife Jean are going to London with all travel and accommodation arranged for them.

“I am absolutely thrilled to bits,” said Mrs Johnson. “Everyone has been wonderful. The way people have been so kind, it is really wonderful.”

Mr Johnson, who won six medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for gallantry during five years on Wellington and Halifax bombers, was shot down twice, once behind enemy lines. The odds against each bomber crew surviving a flight over Nazi Germany were so high most did not complete 30 missions. But Mr Johnson flew more than 90.

Unhappy at the lack of recognition for the courage of his fallen colleagues he was among those who raised funds for the memorial.

But when the family tried to get him a ticket for the unveiling, they were told there were none available. A spokeswoman for the organisers said they had been overwhelmed with demand for the 6,500 places available.

After The Press told the Johnsons' story, people as far away as Australia started campaigning for Mr Johnson to go to the ceremony. The story was taken up by regional and national media in the UK.

“It opened doors,” said Mrs Johnson. “It did make a difference. He can go. It is lovely, it really is.”

The couple learnt the news when Mr Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, rang up to tell them they had tickets - and that travel and accommodation would be laid on for them as well.

“He is certainly going to get my vote!” said Mrs Johnson. “He is really charming.”