World War II RAF veteran Reg Day celebrated his 93rd birthday with the best possible present - the grand opening of his bigger and newly refurbished museum at Dunsfold Aerodrome.

The Reg Day Memorial Museum he founded at Dunsfold Park contains a remarkable collection of wartime memorabilia concerning the airfield, including a map of the Normandy Landings, in June 1944.

Dunsfold Park has donated a bigger building on the aerodrome to the museum, which means more of the collection can be on display and it is accessible to larger groups of people.

Reg celebrated his birthday in style on Dunsfold Park with a “proper” English tea party before officially opening the new museum.

Special guests included fellow veterans Babe Harwood and Peter Jenner and his stalwart museum volunteers, Terry Bachelor and Owen Warren, together with Dunsfold staff.

Reg said: “I am so happy to be spending my birthday on the aerodrome and with those who have supported me since I opened the museum in 2003.

“The new building is fantastic and we’ve been able to display so much more memorabilia for people to look at. The museum acts as a lasting tribute to those who served during the Second World War, and I am very grateful for all the support from Dunsfold Park in making it possible. I hope everyone comes for a visit.”

Dunsfold Park chief executive Jim McAllister said: “The nation owes a great debt of gratitude to men and women like Reg and I’m proud to be able to not only celebrate two momentous occasions with him, but support his museum which will ensure that the heritage of the site is not forgotten.”

• The museum is open from 10am to 3pm every Wednesday by appointment, Call Terry Batchelor on 07908 888343 or email info@regdaymemorialmu seum.co.uk