A RETIRED Royal Mint designer from Woodford Green has created a two pound coin, which has been issued to commemorate the end of the Second World War.

Robert Elderton, of Fair Way, won a competition held by his former employer to make a design that represented the courage and determination of those who fought for their country and brought the war to an end.

When the competition was announced, Mr Elderton headed to the library and rummaged through history books looking for inspiration.

He said: "The coin more or less designed itself when I came across the images of St Paul's lit up with search beams in the shape of a V for Victory on VE and VJ days. Credit should go to Sir Christopher Wren in the first place and then those guys working the search- lights at the time of the end of the war."

Mr Elderton spent 38 years working for the Royal Mail producing designs not just for British coins but foreign ones as well. His work includes coins marking the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and one marking the 40th anniversary of the Queen's accession in 1992.

He said: "In most countries around the world you may find coins I have designed in your pockets, lots of Commonwealth countries and the new Russian republics."

The edge of the victory coin carries a quote from Sir Winston Churchill which reads In victory magnanimity, in peace goodwill'.

The coin was launched by Falklands War veteran Simon Weston during a recent ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral.