AN airman who died to save residents of a North-East town has been immortalised in a mural at a school which bears his name.

Sixty years ago, Canadian William McMullen was returning home to RAF Middleton St George from a training exercise when his Lancaster bomber developed engine trouble.

He ordered his six-man crew to bale out but, rather than jump to safety himself, he fought with the stricken plane to fly it clear of the last of the houses in the Eastbourne district of Darlington.

It crashed into a field at Lingfield Farm and Mr McMullen was killed on impact.

For the past 11 months, students at McMullen House School in Yarm Road, Darlington, have been working with a professional artist to produce the mural.

The majority of the 25 14 to 16-year-old students have been involved in the mural, which is almost complete.

Liz Hemingway, McMullen House teacher, said: "It is going brilliantly and we are almost finished. When you walk in, it is gobsmacking. It is very colourful."

The mural has pictures which typify Darlington, including Bank Top station and the brick train, as well as pictures which represent students' lives, including mountaineers and hairdressers.

But on the mural, pictured above the school, is McMullen's Lancaster Bomber heading up Yarm Road.

John Todd, a professional artist, has been working with students every week.

The centre hopes the mural will be finished by February 25, when it will be unveiled by Darlington MP Alan Milburn. He will also present an Investors in Children award to the school.

Published: 20/01/2005