A war veteran who left his care home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France last June has died aged 90.

Bernard Jordan - dubbed the Great Escaper after his cross-Channel adventure last year - died peacefully in hospital.

His death was announced in a statement by Gracewell Healthcare, which runs The Pines care home in Hove, East Sussex, where Mr Jordan, known as Bernie, lived.

Mr Jordan hit headlines globally when he disappeared from the care home to embark on a trip to the D-Day anniversary events in Normandy wearing his war medals under his grey mac.

His disappearance sparked a police search and his whereabouts were uncovered only when a younger veteran phoned later that night to say he had met Mr Jordan on the coach to France and he was safe and well in a hotel in Ouistreham..

He was later inundated with more than 2,500 birthday cards from around the world following his adventure to Normandy.

Mr Jordan, a former Royal Navy veteran, had vowed to return to Normandy this year.

Asked by reporters last June if he would go back, he said: "Yes, I expect so, if I am still here, definitely."

Brittany Ferries, which carried Mr Jordan on his trip across the Channel, had offered him free crossings to D-Day events for the rest of his life.

A spokesman for the ferry company, which adopted Mr Jordan as its honorary veteran, said: "We're particularly sad to hear this news.

"It was a real honour to carry Bernie back to the beaches of Normandy in June, and during his time on board our ships he made many friends amongst our crew.

"We had been looking forward to welcoming him back on board again this coming June when we were planning to roll out the red carpet for him.

"Sadly, that's not now to be. Our thoughts are with Bernie's wife, family and friends."