The remains of the Dambusters' dog - whose name is now considered a racial slur - could be unearthed and moved to Norfolk, because they currently lie on an airbase due to house migrants.

The black labrador belonged to Wing Cdr Guy Gibson, who led 617 Squadron's attack on Germany's hydro-electric dams from RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire on May 16, 1943.

The animal, which was the squadron's mascot, was buried at the base after being run over and killed on the night of the raid.

Decades later, its name was removed from its memorial at the airbase because it is now considered highly offensive.

Eastern Daily Press: Wing Cdr Guy Gibson, who led the Dambusters raid into Germany 80 years agoWing Cdr Guy Gibson, who led the Dambusters raid into Germany 80 years ago (Image: MOD/Crown Copyright)READ MORE: Forgotten story of Norfolk Dambuster

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The RAF has applied to move the remains and current gravestone to RAF Marham, where 617 Squadron is now based.

Eastern Daily Press: The Dambusters Squadron now flies F-35 Lightning stealth fighters from RAF MarhamThe Dambusters Squadron now flies F-35 Lightning stealth fighters from RAF Marham (Image: Ian Burt)

The Home Office wants to convert Scampton, which closed in 2018, into a migrant camp. 

In a planning statement to West Lindsey council, in Lincolnshire, the RAF's heritage team says: "Wing Cdr Guy Gibson owned a black Labrador with a name that was in common use at the time but which has since been recognised as unacceptable given its linkage to racist attitudes and inequality.

Eastern Daily Press: The Dambusters flew from RAF Scampton, which could now be turned into a migrant campThe Dambusters flew from RAF Scampton, which could now be turned into a migrant camp (Image: Google)

"As there is now no guarantee of a sustainable heritage focussed future for Scampton with careful management and interpretation of the story of the raid and Wing Cdr Gibson’s dog, we believe the grave site is at risk and carries significant reputational risk given the racial slur now associated with the dog’s name.

"We feel it would be better to return the marker and any remains to 617 Sqn."

There are no plans to publicly display the memorial at Marham or reinstate the name.

Jo Rust, secretary of the King's Lynn Trades Council, which campaigns against racism, said: "The dog represented a lot and its remains will be poignant for many people and make them think of lost relatives but the name needs to be taken out of the equation totally."

Eastern Daily Press: A Lancaster similar to those used on the Dambusters raidA Lancaster similar to those used on the Dambusters raid (Image: Matthew Usher)

Gibson radioed back the name of the dog to Bomber Command on the night of the attack, to inform senior officers it had been successful.

Some 53 aircrew were killed in the raid, which breached the Mohne and Eder dams using bouncing bombs dropped from Lancaster bombers.

Munitions factories were destroyed by the resulting floods.

Gibson completed 170 missions before he was shot down and killed at the age of 26 in September 1944.