A FRENCHMAN who fled to the UK at the start of the last war and liked it so much here that he became a British citizen has died in Teignmouth.

Fernand Davoult, 93, fought with the Free French navy, and moved to Shaldon in the 1970s, where he was befriended by a local couple, David and Irene Morgan.

'Fernand was a great raconteur and spoke with pride about the war, but was never boastful about his exploits,' said Mr Morgan.

'He was a true gentleman and a lady's man with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin he could deploy at will, but what else would you expect of a Frenchman born on Valentine's Day?