Medals won by one of the most distinguished Royal Navy pilots to fight in World War Two have been auctioned for £31,000.

Vice Admiral Sir Michael Fell was awarded a glittering haul of 13 medals during his illustrious career in the the navy's Fleet Air Arm.

Sadly he died soon after retiring in 1976 aged just 58, but his impressive set of 13 medals has now been auctioned by his family following the death of his widow, Lady Joan Fell, last year.

Hero: Vice Admiral Sir Michael Fell was awarded a glittering haul of 13 medals during his illustrious career in the the navy's Fleet Air Arm

Engaging in dog fights with the Luftwaffe and Italian Air Force over the North Sea, the Mediterranean and Egypt's Western Desert, the Vice Admiral fought bravely to defend our shores during World War Two.

He led air operations for Allied landings at Sicily and Salerno in Italy and the South of France as well as providing cover for the relief of Greece in the Aegean Sea.

One of his most important actions came in April 1944 when the huge German ship the Tirpitz, that terrorised the Arctic convoys to Russia, was bombed by him.

He was a Wing Leader for Operation Tungsten and deliberately distracted the ship's anti-aircraft gunners away from his comrades in the air by drawing their fire.

He then flew in at low-level under the thick smoke to bomb the vessel himself.

The Tirpitz crew suffered more than 430 casualties in the raid and the ship was put out of action for three months.

Sir Michael was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Service Order for the raid.

He went on to be twice awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, KCB after he stayed in the Fleet Air Arm and served in the Korean War.

His medals achieved a hammer price of £26,000 but with fees added on the total price came to £31,000.

A spokesman for London auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb said: 'He was one of the most distinguished and decorated pilots in the history of British naval aviation.

'He was awarded the CB in the 1960s and this was elevated to KCB in 1974 - the most senior appointment in naval aviation.'

Sir Michael, who came from Stoughton, West Sussex, went to Harrow School but entered the Royal Navy as a midshipman in 1938 and then trained as a Fleet Air Arm pilot.

Pictured: Vice Admiral Sir Michael Fell with the Queen Mother during his decorated career in the Fleet Air Arm

He was first attached to the newly-formed 804 Squadron to ward off any potential threat of Luftwaffe attacks on Allied ships at Scapa Flow in Scotland from its bases in Nazi-occupied Norway.

While based there he scored one of just a few kills by a biplane in the Second World War when, flying a Gladiator, he shot down a Heinkel 111 bomber.

Sir Michael then served on HMS Ark Royal in the Mediterranean where he shot down two Italian Cant planes before moving to the Royal Navy Fighter Squadron in the Western Desert and helped destroy three more aircraft.

In 1943 he served on HMS Illustrious and commanded 878 Squadron and provided air cover for Operation Avalanche - the Allied invasion of Italy for which he was Mentioned in Despatches.

After the Tirpitz raid he led 10 fighter bomber attacks on enemy positions and transports in the South of France.

He was awarded the first DSC for leading 12 attacks in the Aegean Sea which included blowing up an E boat and three trains.