A BATTLE of Britain Memorial fly-past was the highlight of a city's VE Day celebration at the weekend.

Thousands of people turned out to see the display, in which a Lancaster bomber was escorted over Ripon market place by two Battle of Britain fighters, a Spitfire and a Hurricane.

The show, which lasted about six minutes, included low-altitude flights over the market place and was accompanied by a commentary from Squadron Leader Mike Chambers, chairman of the Ripon and District branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (Rafa).

During the afternoon, visitors were encouraged to take photographs of the memorial flight and enter a photographic competition in support of the Rafa Wings Appeal.

There were also re-enactments of Britain at war in the Forties, before the event was rounded off with an evening Victory Ball at the Hugh Ripley Hall.

Rafa spokesman Stanley Mackintosh said: "It was a wonderful day. Absolutely terrific. I have never seen so many people in Ripon Market Place. It was absolutely packed.

"Because of wind drift en route from their previous fly-over at Elvington Air Show, the flight did not approach directly over Ripon Cathedral as expected, but came in from the south-east, then manoeuvred in tight formation for three low-level passes over the thousands of spectators in Ripon Market Place, before heading south for Newark."

Mr Mackintosh said it was hoped the event would get about £11,000 from the MoD to help turn it into an annual event.

Organiser Emma Warner-Reed said: "It is likely that, in view of its success and popularity, MoD funding will now become available to support Ripon VE Day as an expanded annual event that should become the iconic 1940s event of the year for our region and beyond, showcasing Ripon as a lovely place to visit."

The event was in support of the Royal British Legion, and proceeds from the Victory Ball will be added to British Legion collections made on the day.