Air campaign to bring Vulcan back to Southport; Sponsor needed for resort show visit.

Byline: GARY STEWART

A GROUP of aeronautical enthusiasts who spent pounds 8m restoring a Cold War jet plane are hoping a benefactor will come forward to allow it to fly at the Southport Airshow.

The Vulcan XH558 is a fourengined long-range bomber which carried atomic weapons as part of Britain's nuclear deterrent from the 1960s onwards.

It was also involved in more conventional bombing runs against targets in the Falklands War, in 1982, before being decommissioned in 1993.

More recently, it has been thrilling crowds at air shows up and down the country, but volunteers from Vulcan to the Sky, the group of 3,500 Vulcan fans who helped launch the old warhorse back into the air, were upset to hear they would not be ending their first full season at the North West biggest air show.

Volunteer Barry Hunt, who grew up near RAF Woodford, where the plane was built, explained: "Last year, a benefactor paid for the Vulcan to come to Southport and we're hoping they will do again.

"Either that or a sponsor who will maybe see the benefit of backing what is sure to be the star attraction. We'd show the Vulcan for free if we could, but it costs pounds 1.75m per annum to keep in the air and it will cost about pounds 15,000 to bring to Southport."

Mr Hunt thinks it will be worth it.

"I'd say, through the shows we've done this year, the Vulcan increases attendance by a third.

"People always talk about the Red Arrows, but when the Vulcan comes out you can hear a pin drop.

"Everybody stands up and takes notice. It's the second most iconic British military plane after the Spitfire, and the power of it is amazing."

CAPTION(S):

The Vulcan XH558 needs a benefactor to come forward, to prevent it missing out on the Southport Airshow