Lancashire's last remaining First World War veteran has died at the age of 107.

Nicholas Swarbrick died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 2, at Grimsargh House Nursing Home, Preston.

He was the only surviving merchant seaman from the Great War. His death leaves just 11 British soldiers, sailors and airmen from the 1914-1918 conflict, according to the National Archives.

Last year he gave a frank account of his wartime experiences for the BBC documentary, Britain's Last Tommies.

And his memories as a radio operator during the war as well as recollections of events throughout his life, such as the death of Queen Victoria and the sinking of the Titanic, are also included in two new books about Great War veterans.

Born in 1898, Mr Swarbrick, spent his school days at Alston Hall, Grimsargh, and later attended the former Catholic College, Winckley Square, Preston, then Stoneyhurst College, near Clitheroe.

Aged 17 he joined the Merchant Navy and served on ships crossing the Atlantic carrying vital supplies and troops to Britain while under constant threat of attack by German U-Boats.

He had vivid memories of the bloody horrors of war -- hearing men going to a watery grave after their ships had been torpedoed. After 13 years as a seaman Mr Swarbrick returned home to his father's farm business in Grimsargh.

He joined the Home Guard during the Second World War and later worked on the family farm until his retirement aged 88.

According to nephew Rodney, Mr Swarbrick was a confimed bachelor, teetotal, and rarely ill. "Apart from a cataract operation he was seldom at the doctors," he said. "His remarkable life is one to be celebrated. He was 107 and 80 days and never lost his enthusiasm for life or knowledge and was in control of his faculties until the end."

He leaves two nephews, one niece, five great nieces and nephews, and seven great, great nieces and nephews.

He will be cremated at Preston Crematorium on Friday, February 10, at 3pm.

His death follows that of pilot, Johnny Squier, 85, the first to eject out of his seat at supersonic speed.

Mr Squier, from Penwortham, died of a heart attack on Monday. He will be cremated at Preston Crematorium today (Thursday) at 2.30pm.