The campaign to win recognition for a First World War hero has been bolstered following a response from Buckingham Palace.

Maldon historian Stephen Nunn hopes to secure a posthumous Victoria Cross for Maldon teenager Ben Cobey, who was killed in action in the Battle of Mons in France in August 1914.

A letter from Sonia Bonici, on behalf of the Queen, arrived on Thursday, which said Her Majesty was interested to read about his campaign and his letter would be forwarded to the honours and appointments secretariat at the Cabinet Office.