One of the last members of the Dambusters squadron died in a freak accident when his coat became trapped in a car door.

David Cookson, 86, was only dragged a yard or so along the road outside his home but hit his head on the pavement and died a week later.

Mr Cookson, who serviced the Lancaster bombers used by Guy Gibson and his famous 617 Dambusters squadron in 1943, died at Newcastle General Hospital on Sunday.

Yesterday friends described the widower as a "gentleman" who never lost his enthusiasm for aircraft - even after 60 years.

George Laverick, 78, had known Mr Cookson, of Gosforth, Newcastle, for more than 40 years.

He said: "This is a tragic accident and David will be sorely missed. David was a gentleman and a jolly fellow. He was friendly to everyone.

"David loved planes. Even after he retired he would often go up to Newcastle Airport and see what was flying around. He knew every plane in the sky just by the sound.

Mr Cookson met his wife Nancy before the war, when he worked for a funeral directors' in Jesmond and she worked in the cake shop across the road. They married in 1944. Nancy died in 2002, aged 81.

Joan Fairley, 62, had lived opposite Mr Cookson in Chatton Wynd for 28 years.

She said: "He was such a vibrant man, still very active, and a wonderful neighbour. My husband went with him in the ambulance to the hospital when the accident happened a week ago and held his hand.

Squadron "X" was formed at R.A.F Scampton on the 17th March 1943 under the command of Wing Commander Guy Gibson. Even he did not know the reason behind the formation. It was his task to hand pick the rest of this squadron.

They were charged with flying across the English channel, to cross the Netherlands and Germany at zero feet and to drop the famous bouncing bombs designed by Barnes Wallace.