A WAR hero who founded a housing trust was remembered by the residents of an Ilkley sheltered housing complex.

The life of fighter pilot Johnnie Johnson, who died at the age of 85 last week, was commemorated by

residents at Leconfield House.

The elderly residents of the complex, which is part of the trust he founded, held a special memorial

service to the man they had admired.

The residents also put pen to paper and wrote pages of a memorial book, being created by the trust as a whole.

Legendary Spitfire ace Air Vice-Marshal James Edgar Johnson shot down more Germans in the 1939-45 war than any other British pilot.

Following his outstanding wartime exploits Mr Johnson founded a charitable trust dedicated to

developing and managing homes for the elderly,

families, the disabled and those with special needs.

Hilory Ward, warden at the sheltered housing complex, said: "He did so much for people in the war and since then he has still been part of the community."

The residents said they felt it was important to them to mark the passing of a man who had done so much.

Margaret Sutherland, 79, said: "It is important that we remember him as a person and his humanity.

"Even though he was a fighting ace, after the war he had the vision to set up the Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust, which has benefited such a lot of people."

Fellow resident Margaret Lee, 90, who has read all of Mr Johnson's books, said: "I am so impressed with him. He impressed me with his courage.

"He was flying in the battles. They were risking their lives every time.

"And these sheltered housing complexes are run in such a caring way. Everybody is carefully thought about, particularly people who are not well."

Housing trust chairman Mel Hill said: "Johnnie was an inspiration to us all. His vision and drive created the trust and his spirit of care and concern has guided it throughout its 31 year history. The whole world has lost a unique individual whose contribution - in both war and peace - is a remarkable achievement. We will continue to build on the vision which Johnnie established, and do our utmost to keep faith with his ideals for our work."