A missing World War Two airman has finally been laid to rest - 70 years after he gave his life for his country.

Sergeant Wilfred Lawson, of Penrith, was given a ceremonial burial at Berlin 1939 - 1945 War Cemetery in Germany.

Sergeant Lawson died, aged 25, when his Lancaster bomber crashed in Germany in 1944.

At the time he was reported missing, and his family hoped he would one day return to them in Cumbria and that there had been a mistake.

But his remains were discovered by the Vermisstenforschung Deutschland (CORR) - who research those missing in war - in September 2014 at the site his aircraft was know to have crashed.

His distant surviving relatives were pleased to know where he would rest in peace but wished it could have come sooner for his immediate family.

Enid Townson, Sgt Lawson's first cousin once removed, said: "It's amazing news that Wilfred's remains have been found and laid to rest in Berlin.

"I just wish that his parents and siblings had known during their lifetime what had happened to him.

"They never quite gave up hope that there could have been a mistake and that he might one day come home."

Peter Nelson, another cousin, said: "We give Wilfred our thanks for his bravery in defending the free world. Although he’s been lost for so many years he’s now been found and will be in our thoughts forever."

Sgt Lawson, who was the youngest child of John and Elizabeth Lawson, was born at Penrith Cumberland Hospital on April 24, 1918.

He worked for an ironmonger in the town's King's Street before signing up to the Royal Air Force in July 1936, starting out as an aircraftman grade 2 before moving through the rank to sergeant by the time of his death.

He married Margaret Flood in September 1940 and the couple lived in Leeds.

RAF representatives, the British Embassy in Berlin and the Royal British Legion attended Sgt Lawson's service, led by Reverend Rebekah Cannon. Members of the Queen's Colour Squadron paid tribute as coffin bearers.

Rev Cannon said: "It’s been incredibly moving to lay this brave young man to rest today and to be part of his military family here to pay him our final respects."

Ministry of Defence investigation work found that three of the seven crew members were captured and became prisoner's of war. Two were killed and buried at the Berlin Cemetery at the time of the crash, while two others - one of them Sgt Lawson - were listed as missing.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has provided a headstone for Sgt Lawson.