A PENSIONER has honoured the memory of a childhood friend killed in battle by buying a Christmas tree light for charity.

Harold Perkin had known John Lomas since the late 1920s, when the pair were pupils at Nightingale Infant School, in Derby.

Mr Lomas went on to join the RAF and in 1942, he was killed when his plane was shot down over the Baltic Sea. He was just 21.

Mr Perkin, now 86, said his former schoolmate was his best friend and he had always considered him as part of the family.

To celebrate Mr Lomas' life, Mr Perkin bought a bulb for the Trees of Light appeal, run by the Rotary Club of Derby.

Mr Perkin, who lives in Allestree Close, Alvaston, with his wife Peggy, 81, said: "John was 10 days older than me and we were always together at school.

"John went to live in London but we still kept and touch and we travelled across the country to visit each other.

"My sister Marion got together with John and the family knew him well, so we were all really upset when he died."

Mr Perkin said he saw the Trees of Light appeal as the ideal way to honour John's memory.

The campaign, supported by the Evening Telegraph, allows people to sponsor a light on one of several Christmas trees in the city centre, for a minimum donation of £5.

The bulbs can be dedicated to the memory of relatives or friends, or purchased as a gift to mark a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary.

He said: "When I saw the Trees of Light appeal, it just struck me as a good idea and a good way to remember John.

"Over the years, his memory suddenly strikes me and I want to honour him."

Lights bought before November 15 were placed on the Christmas tree in Derby's Market Place and turned on as part of Derby City Council's Big Switch-on event.

But the Rotary Club has organised a second switch-on to take place in mid-December, outside Derby Cathedral.

Bulbs purchased from now until then will be hung on extra trees outside the Cathedral.

All money raised will go to local causes, such as the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre in Skegness, the Heart of Derby Appeal and the Mayor of Derby's charities.

John Cheadle, of the Rotary Club, said: "We've made over £1,000, which is fantastic.

For more information, call 07740 958596 or e-mail john cheadle666@btinternet.com.

To sponsor a light, complete the coupon and send it with your donation to Rotary Club of Derby, PO Box 7692, Derby, DE1 0RB, or visit www.justgiving. com/derbyrotaryclub.