Plane that saved the Palace

Archaeologists will attempt to unearth the fighter plane that saved Buckingham Palace during the Battle of Britain in a live TV dig.

The Hurricane has been buried in central London since an astonishing act of bravery during the Second World War battle.

Pilot sergeant Ray Holmes, of 504 Squadron, saved the Palace by ramming a German Dornier bomber after he ran out of ammunition on 15 September 1940.

Holmes survived after bailing out of his plane and is now 89.

Channel Five today announced Fighter Plane Dig - Live, in which a team will attempt to unearth the Hurricane, after experts pinpointed the site where it crashed.

Sgt Holmes sliced the tail of the Dornier, which was about to bomb the Palace, causing it to crash.

He will discuss his act of bravery on the show, which will be broadcast at the end of May.