There has been a glowing tribute paid to those who served with the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

In this the 70th anniversary year of the Battle of Britain, Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson said: "Winston Churchill's iconic speech speaks of the debt owed by 'so many to those few' who risked their lives against a greater enemy.

"In commemorating the Battle of Britain, we pay tribute to the heroism of those who paid the ultimate price but also to the courage of those for whom the struggle against injury, disability and trauma continued long after the battle ceased," he said.

The First Minister was speaking as he launched the 2010 Battle of Britain Wings Appeal in Northern Ireland at Parliament Buildings.

He noted that the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) relies entirely on the generosity of the public and of its own members to raise funds for its much-needed work.

"I am honoured to launch the Wings Appeal and I am sure that the response from Northern Ireland will be as generous to this year's appeal as it has been in previous years."

RAFA provides friendship and welfare support to serving and ex-serving members of the RAF and their families. Each year tens of thousands of people are helped through a wide range of welfare and other services.

The Wings Appeal is their annual fundraising exercise, which is launched every year in September to coincide with the anniversary of the Battle of Britain and commemorate those who took part in the Battle and those who lost their lives.

See: www.rafa.org.uk

(BMcC/GK)