Radiohead have released a surprise new song in memory of the late war veteran Harry Patch.

The song, 'Harry Patch (In Memory Of)', can be downloaded now here, with proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.

Patch, who was the last living British veteran of World War One, died on June 25. He was 111.

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke originally wrote the dedication after hearing Patch interviewed on BBC Radio 4 in 2005.

In a message on the band's website, Yorke said: “The way he talked about war had a profound effect on me.

“It would be very easy for our generation to forget the true horror of war, without the likes of Harry to remind us. I hope we do not forget.”

The song was recorded in the weeks before Patch's death at an abbey in Oxfordshire alongside Radiohead's long-time producer Nigel Godrich.

It includes a string section arranged by the band's guitarist Jonny Greenwood.

“I very much hope the song does justice to his memory as the last survivor,” Yorke added.

(by Jason Gregory)