"NEVER in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."

Sixty-eight years after Winston Churchill's enduring tribute to the allied fighters in the Battle of Britain, the nation's present day Prime Minister proudly echoed those words at 10 Downing Street last night.

Gordon Brown declared it was time to honour the Spitfire and people in Southampton who built and flew the great Second World War fighter plane.

On the 70th anniversary of the day the first Southampton-built Spitfires were delivered to the RAF, Mr Brown publicly backed the Daily Echo's campaign to create a landmark monument at a gateway to Southampton.

Hosting a reception for 30 supporters, the Prime Minister launched the international fundraising drive.

Mr Brown said: "I want to thank the people of Southampton for coming all this way. Everybody that is contributing to this memorial is contributing to something that is great about Britain.

"Southampton should be really proud and this is going to be a great memorial for the future. I want to thank the Southern Daily Echo for their support for this campaign.

"People of Southampton and elsewhere who contributed to the war effort deserve our greatest praise and congratulation.

It's the bravery of these people that will be remembered with this memorial to the Spitfire."

Suppor t e r s now hope the rest of Britain will back them in getting their a m b i t i o u s £1.5m plan off the ground.

Tory councillor John Hannides, chairman of the Spitfire Tribute Foundation, thanked the Prime Minister and said the invitation to Number 10 had elevated the project to the international stage.

"We are very grateful to the Prime Minister for the honour he has bestowed upon the members of the foundation. My thanks also to the Daily Echo which has shown great leadership in the campaign, John Denham MP, whose support in arranging the event today is very much appreciated and my fellow councillors Alec Samuels, Royston Smith and Jeremy Moulton."

The Southampton City Council Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage said the foundation's aim was to create an internationally acclaimed tribute that would be a symbol of innovation and courage.

"It will be a fitting tribute to the designer RJ Mitchell, and to the sacrifice and resilience of those who built, maintained and flew this iconic plane.

"Its legendary role in the Battle of Britain has made the Spitfire one of the most significant symbols of our nation's aviation heritage - our very own angel of freedom."

Daily Echo editor Ian Murray said: "The Daily Echo has been fully behind the idea of a substantial, permanent memorial to the Spitfire and all those people in Southampton associated with it and it is marvellous to have the support of the British Prime Minister.

"No one is under any illusion that we have a long way to go if this dream is to become a reality, but this is a substantial beginning."

Southampton Itchen MP John Denham said the project was of national significance.

Labour's Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills said the memorial could be the defining landmark for the south.

The foundation has raised £30,000 from Southampton-based sponsors and the city council has committed £70,000. The target is to raise the £1.5m. The final design and location of the proposed memorial have yet to be announced.