NORTH-EAST filmmakers have begun work on a documentary inspired by The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal.

The Wartime Memories organisation is producing a DVD chronicling the story of Canadian Second World War air gunner Andrew Mynarski and the newspaper's successful campaign to have a statue of him created.

The film features pupils at Middleton St George Primary School, which will benefit from funds raised by the appeal, learning about the incredible bravery of Pilot Officer Mynarski.

He died aged 27 after he tried desperately to save the life of his friend, Pat Brophy , who became trapped when their Lancaster bomber was hit by Germans on a mission that set out from the Royal Canadian Air Force base at Middleton St George, near Darlington, in 1944.

Angela Jobson, from War-time Memories, based in Stockton, said: "We got involved because of the statue appeal. We are filming the kids and what they have been learning about Mynarski. It's fascinating stuff.

"They know an awful lot about the story and seem to be getting a lot out of it. We are hoping to put the DVD on sale to parents, and anything we make will go towards the appeal and helping the school."

The Forgotten Hero film will include a reconstruction using a Lancaster bomber of the dramatic story that made Mynarski a hero in his home country.

It will also show the pupils visiting sculptor Keith Maddison at his studio in Northumberland, as he worked on the 8ft statue.

The Northern Echo's campaign aimed to raise £40,000, but thanks to generous readers and a grant of £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the total is more than £76,000.

The extra money will pay for books and equipment for the school, which was burnt down by arsonists in 2003.

Headteacher Janine Gleeson said: "This week has been absolutely fantastic. The children have been writing songs about Mynarski, bringing in items from the war from their relatives and even eating wartime food. Having the film crew to document it all was just the icing on the cake."

On Saturday, the bronze statue depicting Mynarski in full salute will be unveiled by Pat Brophy's daughter, Colleen Bacon, at the St George Hotel, Durham Tees Valley Airport. It will eventually be put in place at the airport.

The school choir will sing at the ceremony and there will be a flyover from a Lancaster bomber shortly after 11am.

Wartime Memories is looking for people with memories of the Canadians stationed at Middleton St George during the war to get in touch for the film. To help, go to www. wartimememories.co.uk