IT is an icon of the skies, soaring in view of a city’s tribute to many of those who it helped in the fight for freedom.

A special piece of public art commemorating the Spitfire has been completed in Southampton city centre – just yards from the cenotaph honouring those who gave their lives for Britain.

The specially-commissioned painting of the legendary fighter plane has been added to the side of Southampton Solent University’s Sir James Matthews Building in Above Bar.

Overlooking Watts Park, it is hoped the painting, which is called 360 Degree Roll and made up of 246 individual digital designs, provides another fitting tribute to the fighter plane from the city where it was born.

The artwork, created by renowned public artist Ray Smith, has been put in place just days after the winning design for a landmark £2m memorial to the Spitfire was announced.

The Spitfire was designed by RJ Mitchell at the Supermarine Aviation works in Woolston, and was first flown from the Eastleigh airfield that is now Southampton International Airport.

Mr Smith, 61, has previously seen his work used in redesigned schools and hospitals, as well as in urban regeneration across the country.

He also has a connection to the city, having worked as a Fine Arts Fellow at the University of Southampton from 1978 to 1981, and his 1981 painting Roto Relief is part of the collection at Southampton City Art Gallery.