A new housing development will be named after a local woman who was the last-surviving First World War veteran when she died.

The 228-home scheme planned for land off the Gaywood Parkway in Lynn will be named Florence Fields after Florence Green, who lived nearby until she died at the age of 110 in February, 2012.

Mrs Green joined the Women's Royal Air Force at the age of 17 in September 1918, two months before hostilities ended. She left the service the following July.

Eastern Daily Press: Florence Green (circled, far right) worked as a steward at RAF Narborough at the end of the First World War and went on to become the world's last-surviving veteran of the conflictFlorence Green (circled, far right) worked as a steward at RAF Narborough at the end of the First World War and went on to become the world's last-surviving veteran of the conflict (Image: Archant Archive)

She worked as a steward in the mess at RAF Narborough and was believed to have been the last living person to have served in uniform during the conflict before she passed away.

Her youngest daughter June Evetts told the EDP at the time: "She was very proud of what she did and we are all very proud of her. Her death does close the book on the First World War as there are no veterans left now."

Mother-of-three Mrs Green married Walter, a porter at Lynn station in 1920 and lived in the town from then until she passed away weeks before her 111th birthday.

Eastern Daily Press: Florence Green was presented with a cake from the RAF when she celebrated her 109th birthday in 2011 by leading aircraftman Hannah ShawFlorence Green was presented with a cake from the RAF when she celebrated her 109th birthday in 2011 by leading aircraftman Hannah Shaw (Image: Ian Burt)

Now a report updating councillors on the progress of the Parkway development says students at the nearby King's Lynn Academy, who were asked what the development should be called, have chosen to name it after her.

The report also reveals the cost of the council-backed development has soared to more than £50m.

West Norfolk councillors are being asked to agree to increase the budget for building it from £48.3m to £54.4m.

A report to the authority's regeneration and development panel, which meets on Tuesday, January 10, warns: "There has been significant cost inflation in both the material and labour market."

The scheme was scaled down from 379 to 228 properties in 2021, to spare a wetland area from development after objections from conservationists and avoid the need for a new bridge across a railway line.

Work on Florence Fields is now expected to begin in June 2023 and be completed by July 2026, the report adds.