Tributes paid to D-Day veteran Joe Cattini who has died aged 100

Tributes have been paid to D-Day veteran Joe Cattini, who died on Tuesday – just three months after his 100th birthday.

Mr Cattini had been a British Normandy Memorial ambassador since 2019 and visited it twice, also taking part in the first Remembrance ceremony to take place there on 6 June 2022.

The British Normandy Memorial charity paid tribute to Mr Cattini, saying: "We send our deepest condolences to Joe's children and their families, and pay tribute to Joe, who demonstrated unwavering support for the memorial project from the very beginning.

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"His service to our country and subsequent efforts in keeping alive the memory of his fallen comrades will be his lasting legacy."

Charity trustee and BBC Royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said: "Another giant within the Normandy Veteran community has left us.

"We mourn Joe Cattini's passing and remember the man that he was. I recall the support he gave to me and the memorial project in its earliest months.

"Thank you, Joe, for everything, from your service in Normandy to being the delightful man that you were. You will remain in our hearts."