A FORMER prisoner of war met Prince Charles at a service to mark the 65th anniversary of VE Day.

George Housego, aged 89, who was kept prisoner by the Japanese for three-and-a-half years during the Second World War, laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London.

Every year Mr Housego, of Birchtree Avenue, West Wickham, attends the ceremony with his partner of 33 years June Elkington-Housego.

He said: “It was very emotional. Nearly 28 per cent of prisoners died in Japan.

“People died in agony and misery."

The father-of-three said of Prince Charles: “He was wonderful. He looked as if he was really interested in you.”