A MILE-long road in Taunton is being renamed next Thursday (June 14) to honour of a man from the town who founded the Royal Air Force.

The £21 million Northern Inner Distributor Road, opened last year between Staplegrove Road and Priory Way, is being renamed Trenchard Way at the ceremony.

It will be a lasting memorial to Hugh Montague Trenchard, the 1st Viscount Trenchard, the first Chief of the Air Staff when the RAF was formed in 1918.

He was born at Haines Hill in 1873, baptised at St George's Church, Wilton, and spent his childhood at Courtlands, Norton Fitzwarren.

The 3rd Viscount Trenchard will be guest of honour for the renaming and will unveil a memorial to his grandfather.

He will be joined by local dignitaries and representatives from the RAF, Royal Air Force Association, Royal British Legion, other members of the Armed Forces community and with cadets from 41F (Taunton and District) Squadron Devon and Somerset Wing ATC.

Somerset County Council leader Cllr David Fothergill said: "We’re very much looking forward to welcoming Lord Trenchard to Somerset to rename this key road in his grandfather’s honour.

"This will raise the profile of the Trenchard name and provide a permanent reminder for future generations of our link to the RAF.

"This memorial is long overdue but I’m pleased we’ve been able to put this right in the RAF’s centenary year."

Cllr John Williams, leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council, said: "I am delighted that we are honouring such an eminent son of Taunton.

"The nation owes a huge debt to Hugh Trenchard for founding the RAF."

Tom Mayberry, chief executive of South West Heritage Trust, said: "Viscount Trenchard was a remarkable man who helped change the course of Britain’s 20th Century history. It’s appropriate that he’s now being remembered in the town of his birth."

The renaming ceremony starts at 2.30pm on Thursday directly opposite Station Approach - Trenchard Way will be closed between Station Approach and Chip Lane for the event.

Mr Mayberry will give a talk, 'In Praise of Lord Trenchard: Son of Somerset, Father of the RAF' at the Museum of Somerset at 7.30pm the same day.

He will outline how Lord Trenchard's father and grandfather were solicitors in Hammet Street, but bankruptcy brought the family low, and left the young Trenchard determined to make a name for himself.

He enjoyed a distinguished military career and as Chief of the Air Staff spent ten years defending the fledgling service, ensuring it could play a decisive role in the Second World War.

He died in 1956 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Tickets for the talk are £9.50 from www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/483763 or 01823-255088.