Funding announced for new memorial to remember the Spitfire in Southampton

A planned memorial to commemorate the world famous Spitfire is to receive a £3 million grant from the government.

The monument is due to form the permanent centre piece of the multi-million Southampton Waterfront Development.

The funding is due to be confirmed in this week's budget.

• WATCH: Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith reacts to the announcement

The year 2020 will see the 80th anniversary of the Spitfire's finest hour, the Battle of Britain.

More than 22,000 examples of the aircraft were built during the Second World War, with many of those built in Southampton.

The aircraft was designed and built by R.J. Mitchell and Supermarine during the 1930s.