MEMBERS of the Crediton branch of the Royal British Legion enjoyed a visit to see a project being undertaken to restore a Second World War Spitfire.

The project, begun nine years, is nearing completion and has been a labour of love for businessman, Martin Phillips, who has been rebuilding it from thousands of parts.

Mr Phillips, who lives at Langford, between Crediton and Exeter, has acquired parts from all over the world.

One wing was found in the lost property department at a police station, other parts donated or purchased after word of mouth contacts about parts.

Mr Phillips is an aircraft enthusiast and he has been leading a small team in rebuilding the aeroplane which is located in a large shed near his home.

The near £1 million project got under way when Mr Phillips found the fuselage of the 1944 vintage Spitfire RR232 in Worthing.

Other parts have been gathered from across the globe - including four of the Merlin engines which gave the Spitfires their unmistakable sound.

The fuselage is now surrounded by Spitfire parts, from a £70,000 four-bladed propeller, wing skeletons, engine parts, wing cannons, flying instruments, original seats and components down to tiny rivets.

The original aircraft - which will eventually be named "City of Exeter", was involved in test flying to Boscombe Down, Wiltshire.

The fighter then saw service with the South African Air Force before being scrapped.

One of its wings will be from a Spitfire which crashed near Exeter Airport and which lay for decades in a hedge near a pub.

Mr Phillips said he was inspired to undertake the restoration when someone gave him a tiny aluminium aircraft rivet, which had been used in the fuselage near the cockpit, and is labelled "this one".

Crediton RBL members said they hoped to be there to watch the Spitfire when it makes its maiden flight next March.