WAR veterans, some in their eighties, travelled thousands of miles as part of an annual trip to the North-East to remember a Canadian Victoria Cross winner.

Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski was remembered by Second World War veterans from his native Canada as well as British air crew.

The service, to mark the vital contribution made by the Royal Canadian Air Force, took place at the St George Hotel, next to Durham Tees Valley Airport, where a statue of PO Mynarski was unveiled in 2005.

A flypast of a Hawk training jet completed the emotionally charged memorial service on Saturday morning.

Aviation historian Geoff Hill, from Sedgefield, County Durham, said: "This is exactly what these brave people deserve -recognition of their courage. Many people have travelled from Canada to mark this day, and that shows the depth of feeling for their fallen friends and colleagues."

PO Mynarski flew from the airport during the Second World War when it was a Canadian base. The memorial has been held in June every year since 1986.

He died after fighting to save the life of his friend, Pat Brophy, on board their blazing Lancaster bomber over France, in June 1944.

The Northern Echo launched the Forgotten Hero appeal, and collected more than £76,000 for the statue, which was created by North-East sculptor Keith Maddison.

Campaigners in Canada are now raising funds to erect a second statue in PO Mynarski's home town of Winnipeg.

Major Harry Mueller, deputy commanding officer of PO Mynarski's 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, from Cold Lake, Alberta, said: "There were only two Canadian airmen to receive a Victoria Cross, and Andrew Mynarski was one of them, so it is important that we recognise his bravery.

"I hope we can raise enough money for another statue to be erected in his home town so that people in Canada do not forget about their heroes."

PO Mynarski was awarded the VC posthumously for trying to free Pat Brophy, who was trapped in their doomed Lancaster bomber when it caught fire.

Betty Amlin, whose letter to The Northern Echo brought the Mynarski story firmly into the public eye, has recently received a certificate from the Canadian government to mark her achievements in remembering the country's fallen men and women.