A former US serviceman has donated a Star Spangled Banner to Oxford's Churchill Hospital as a thank-you to staff who saved his life and to honour his father.

Jim Webb, 46, of Collett Way, Grove, presented the flag to the Headingto hospital after noticing the old one, recording the hospital's strong links with America, was torn and tattered.

He said: "In 1997, I came down with a viral infection and was quite seriously ill -- at one point the doctors thought I might not make it. I spent a month in hospital and a further five months recovering at home.

"I don't remember the first 10 days, but they did a lot for me and literally saved my life.

"When I was in Oxford recently, I decided to drop by the Churchill and I saw the flag, which was absolutely horrendous. It was tattered and torn, and paper thin. I had a flag, they needed a new one, so I decided to donate it to them."

The new Stars and Stripes was the ceremonial flag used during the funeral of Mr Webb's father, Frederick, who was a Master Sergeant in the American Air Force until 1971.

It was presented on Friday to coincide with the anniversary of his death.

Like his father, Mr Webb joined up and was posted to the UK as a military policeman twice -- including tours of duty at RAF Brize Norton and RAF Croughton -- before retiring.

He stayed in the UK as a control room worker for Thames Valley Police, with his English wife Carol, 49, a maternity care assistant at Wantage Community Hospital, and daughter Holly, 10.

The family are planning to move to Florida in June next year.

Mr Webb said: "I thought this would be a fitting way both to commemorate my father and leave a lasting gift before my family and I move back to the States.

"Although my father's flag is very special to me, I'd much rather see it put to good use. I'm sure my father would have agreed."

The Churchill Hospital was built by the Ministry of Health as an emergency medical service hospital for air raid casualties, but it was never needed and was leased to the United States Army.

Ian Humphries, estates and facilities director, said: "On behalf of all the trust staff, I'd like to thank Mr Webb for his donation."