MORE than 100 people filled an Oxfordshire church to celebrate the life of an RAF hero.

A thanksgiving service for the life of Jack Perry MBE was held in St Matthew's Church, in Harwell, on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Perry, who lived in the village, was just 19 when his Halifax Bomber crashed to the ground and left him with 80 per cent burns to his hands, face and ears in August 1944.

He subsequently joined the Guinea Pig Club - formed by RAF aircrew men with severe burns in honour of the pioneering plastic surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe who treated them.

A tribute was put together by Mr Perry's family and read by his daughter Jane Perry.

She said: "He had an amazing ability to light up a room - normally with humour and a twinkle in his eye, especially for the ladies.

"Dad always seemed invincible. He never truly saw himself as old and still had lots he wanted to do. He maintained his humour and a zest for life."

The service, which was led by lay minister Kate Evans, included many references to the Guinea Pig Club, of which Mr Perry was social secretary for 40 years, organising day trips and events.

He received an MBE for services to veterans in the New Year's Honours list in January.

Tom Cochrane, the Guinea Pug Club's honorary plastic surgeon, spoke at the event, and those present sang the humorous Guinea Pig Anthem in Mr Perry's honour.