The unveiling of a commemorative plaque in memory of Squadron Leader B. A. "Jimmy" James MC, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Ludlow.

The Shropshire war hero immortalised in The Great Escape has been given a permanent memorial in Ludlow.

A plaque was unveiled on Saturday commemorating the heroic deeds of Jimmy James.

Mr James was captured after being shot down from his RAF bomber while on a mission in June 1940.

Nazi soldiers imprisoned him but he embarked upon a career as a serial escapee.

He was part of a daring escape from Stalag Luft III in Silesia when 76 men tunnelled 365ft underground on March 24 1944.

Just three men evaded recapture and 50 were shot on Hitler’s orders.

Pictures – click here

Mr James died in January 2008 aged 92 at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after spending his post-war life in Ludlow.

Today Ludlow Mayor Martin Taylor-Smith said Saturday’s plaque-unveiling had been a time for reflection.

He said: “Jimmy was enormously popular in Ludlow. He was a stalwart at the Royal British Legion, in Mill Street.

“It was absolutely right that we created a lasting tribute to Jimmy because he was a bona fide hero. I’m of the generation that grew up on comic books like Commando and Victor. Jimmy was the sort of person whose heroic deeds featured in such titles.”

Mr James was shot down over Holland on 5 June 1940 while second pilot of a Wellington bomber. Over the next five years, he made 13 efforts to escape from prisons and camps, including Stalag Luft III.

Prior to his death, he wrote about his war years in a book called Moonless Night. He also joked to friends that he was actually a terrible escapee, because he kept getting recaptured.

Mr James received the military cross from King George VI who recognised his heroism along with that of other captives.

During his latter years, Mr James toured the UK to talk about his wartime experiences and he also served as the British representative on the International Sachsen- hausen Committee.

At Mr James’s funeral, a party of RAF Regiment gunners from RAF Honington served as pallbearers and four Tornado GR9s of 9 Squadron performed a flypast.

By Andy Richardson