The funeral of one of the RAF's last black World War Two heroes is to be moved after organisers were inundated with requests to attend the service.
Flight Sergeant Peter Brown - who came to Britain from Jamaica as part of the Windrush generation - is believed to be the final member of the so-called 'Pilots of the Caribbean' to pass away.
He died alone at his home in Maida Vale in West London, aged 97.
A website was set up in order to find Mr Brown's known family members, while anyone wishes to attend his funeral has been encouraged to do also come forward.
But due to the appeal, organisers were "inundated" with requests have been submitted meaning a new date and venue are needed, Westminster City Council has said.
The original plan was to hold the service at Mortlake Crematorium on March 29 at midday.
The council is working closely with the RAF and Ministry of Defence on preparations for the service - though a new date and venue are yet to be confirmed.
Typically, the 140-space capacity at Mortlake chapel would have provided room for a fitting send off.
But Mr Brown’s previously untold story – which was only uncovered after weeks of research by the council, archivists, and historians - has captured the public imagination.
The council said it is hopeful of finding a venue closer to Mr Brown's home.
In a statement, the local authority said it "became clear the original plans were too small, after a hugely successful call-out for mourners".
"We really want to thank the group that has convened to support the council in making arrangements," it continued.
"Additional time will allow the council to work with well-wishers, community groups and the military to give Mr Brown the send-off he deserves.
"The priority remains providing Mr Brown a fitting, dignified funeral and allowing everyone who wishes to pay their respects the chance to do so.
"A change in venue will ensure a service which reflects the many different elements of Mr Brown’s life can be held. We believe this will be more dignified and respectful."
When the original funeral was planned, little was known about Mr Brown's life.
However, the council said he "plays a particular historical and cultural role" being the "very last" of the West Indian RAF pilots.
The statement went on to say: "He was a private man who did not boast about the role he played in the war, even though it would have been of great interest to a wider audience.
"It was only as our public funeral officers attempted to trace friends and relatives with the help of the funeral directors that the full significance of his contribution to his adopted home became clear.
"Thanks to the many caring neighbours and friends, historians, military organisations, cultural groups, and individuals as well as the media who have generated such a huge amount of interest.
"This decision has not been taken lightly. We know that people are very passionate about this and we are truly sorry to those whose plans to attend have been scuppered. But it became clear that the chapel simply will not hold the large numbers of the public who are expected to turn up.
"It has also been important to consider the potential disruption large crowds would cause to other funerals planned either side of Mr Brown’s ceremony."
A GoFundMe page was also set up to raise money to pay for a inscribed book of remembrance.
Organiser Candice McDonald wrote a touching tribute to the 'brave' former flight sergeant who would have been roughly 17-years-old when he joined the RAF.
She wrote: "Mr Brown bravely answered the call and battled for us; together we want to do this last battle for him.
"We're appealing to the public to help us raise funds to commission an inscribed book of remembrance, as a lasting testimony of his memory."
Candice added that "an estimated 10,000 people left their families and homes in the Caribbean to join the British armed forces" and that "some, like Mr Brown, settled in the UK and are known as the Windrush Generation".
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and MPs Johnny Mercer and Tom Tugendhat, who were part of the armed forces, tweeted their full support to find Mr Brown's family.
You can donate to the GoFundMe page here.
