THE second of two concerts in memory of pilot Andrew Mynarski has been a huge success, sparking the hope that more will be held to raise money for local charities.

The event, which was in aid of The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero Appeal, took place in front of a packed crowd at Darlington's Dolphin Centre yesterday afternoon.

Due to its success, organisers now want to host a series of concerts in memory of Mynarski to raise money for other worthwhile causes.

Concert producer Ivor Shirley said: "The concert was a great success, and the response from the public was very good.

"We had a variety of performances, and we hope a series of Sunday afternoon concerts can be organised to raise money for other local charities."

Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has supported The Northern Echo's appeal, said of the concert: "I think it is a fantastic commemoration, a really good thing to do.

"It reminds us how we struggled for freedom and democracy in this country, and what a great deal we owe to my father's generation and, as Mynarski was a Canadian, to people from abroad."

A range of performances were featured on yesterday's programme, including pieces by the Normandy Band of the Queen's Division, from Catterick, North Yorkshire.

A choir from Middleton St George CE Primary School sang songs from the First and Second World Wars.

Darlington Borough Council waived the £900 fee needed to hire the centre.

Mynarski was a 27-year-old gunner with the Royal Canadian Air Force, based at Middleton St George airfield, now Durham Tees Valley Airport.

He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for trying to save the life of a friend.

The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal was set up last June and aimed to provide a lasting memory to him in the form of an 8ft bronze statue at the airport.

Due to the overwhelming generosity of readers and a £50,000 donation from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £76,000 has been raised.

Middleton St George CE Primary School, which suffered a devastating arson attack in 2003, will get money left over from the appeal for books and computer equipment.

The Mynarski statue will be unveiled on Saturday, June 4.