A SECOND World War veteran has had the send-off he deserves after more than 100 people turned out to give him a full military funeral following a social media campaign.

John Edward Hulme, 94, of Shildon, served in the 13th Parachute Battalion, and was awarded The French government's highest honour, the Legion d'honneur, for his service.

Granddaughter Sarah Denham was flooded with offers when she made Facebook appeal to give the him the funeral he deserved.

Representatives from The Royal British Legion, Parachute Regiment and the Bugle Association gave the great-grandfather the military honour at his funeral at St John's Church, in Shildon, yesterday when the Last Post was played and flags were lowered.

Ms Denham, 32, said she wanted to thank all those who made the military funeral possible and said Mr Hulme would have been really proud.

"He had a really good send off and I couldn't have asked for a better one," she said. "As soon as the car turned into the churchyard I started filling up because I know what he wanted."

She said: "I want to say a big thank you to everyone who made it happen."