ORGANISERS of the Mynarski Lancaster Bomber Celebration Day at Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) say they have had an unprecedented response since visitor passes went on sale on Monday night.

A host of events are planned to celebrate the Lancaster’s arrival at the airport on August 28 and hundreds of visitor passes have already been sold since booking opened at midnight on Monday.

All profits from the event will go to the Canadian Warplane Heritage museum which owns the plane.

Airport manager Shaun Woods said: “What’s clear is that there is huge interest in seeing the Lancaster which, of course, has strong connections with the airport—it is named after Canadian airman Andrew Mynarski who was awarded a posthumous VC for trying to rescue a colleague when their plane was shot down on a mission from the airfield—then Middleton St George—during the Second World War.

“We obviously have to put a limit on the numbers of cars and people who can attend the event and I really would urge anyone who does want to be there to get online quickly to avoid disappointment.”

Visitor passes, costing £10 and allowing entry for up to four people and free car parking for the day, have to be booked in advance on www.dtva.co.uk/lancastermynarski.

In addition anyone wanting information about arrangements for the visit can email Lancaster@dtva.co.uk.

The event will run from 11am to 6pm and visitors will have the chance to view the Lancaster and see it performing a flypast at around 3pm.

Other aircraft will also feature at the event, together with classic vehicles and other attractions.

Food and drink will be served at the St George Hotel which is also organising a programme of events.