IT was the greatest fighting machine of the Second World War and helped save Britain from the Nazis during the country's darkest hour.

Now Southampton's landmark Itchen Bridge could be renamed Spitfire Bridge in honour of the famous city-built fighter aircraft which played a decisive role in winning the Second World War.

Leisure bosses are looking at re-naming the bridge as part of the city's VE Day and VJ Day celebrations which mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the war.

Other proposals are to launch a public collection for a statue to mark the achievement of Reginald Mitchell, who designed the Battle of Britain aircraft.

Gordon Mitchell - the 84-year-old son of the famous aircraft designer - said it was an "excellent" idea and his father would have been honoured to have the bridge named after him.

He said: "The bridge goes over the river where the Supermarine works was. Obviously the bridge didn't exist in my father's time but he would be very honoured."

Mr Mitchell said he would be happy to open the bridge if he was asked by the city council.

Alan Jones director of Southampton's Solent Sky museum, formerly the Hall of Aviation, added: "If the city is serious about naming the bridge after the Spitfire we are of course delighted.

"There is a statue of Mitchell in the museum and we have tried for years to get a statue of the Spitfire placed on the roundabout opposite the De-Vere Grand Harbour Hotel."

City council Cabinet member for tourism and leisure Councillor Peter Wakeford said: "We are not opposed to any ideas that help remember the Spitfire and its creator, R J Mitchell.

"They are important factors in the history of Southampton."

The Spitfire was designed and built in Southampton and made its first flight from the city's airport in 1936.

Later in the war, the city was extensively bombed because of its strategic importance and was one of the main embarkation points for troops going to Normandy in the D-Day landings of 1940.

Other events planned for the VE and VJ Day commemorations this year will be a multi-faith freedom service which is due to take place on Sunday, May 8.

Units from the armed forces, the Royal British Legion, the Burma Star Association and Merchant Navy will be taking part in the event which will be followed by a march from the Civic Centre to the Bargate.

There will also be a VJ Day service, parade and march which will begin at the Cenotaph and move to Grosvenor Square where the focus will be on the statue of Lord Mountbatten.

The statue has become dirty over the years and the council is looking to give it a clean-up costing thousands of pounds as a mark of respect.

Other plans to be finalised include a service and celebration for the over 50s on August 15 and a photographic exhibition which will match scenes from the Second World War to their current sites in the city.

WHAT do you think? Should the bridge be renamed? Is the council doing enough to mark the anniversaries? Call David Newble on 023 8042 4503 or e-mail using the link above.