THE sculptor chosen by The Northern Echo to create a 9ft statue of once-forgotten hero Andrew Mynarski has made an emotional pilgrimage to the Second World War pilot's grave.

North-Easterner Kevin Maddison grasped the chance to visit Mynarski's graveside at Meharicourt when involved in a five-day excavation at Thiepval Wood, in the Somme area of France recently.

"It was quite a moment really. I never expected to be stood at the grave of the man who I am about to honour by making a statue of him," he said.

Mr Maddison, the son of a Second World War RAF rear gunner and a renowned artist, from Northumberland, planted two wooden crosses in the grave, each with its own inscription.

On one, he wrote: "I honour you and I am honoured to create your memorial." On the other was the message "We will never forget our forgotten hero" on behalf of schoolchildren from Middleton St George, Darlington.

Pilot officer Mynarski, a Canadian, flew from Middleton St George, now Durham Tees Valley Airport, on his final flight on June 12, 1944.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously after losing his life trying to save his friend.

Mr Maddison, who gave up teaching in 1986 to become a full-time sculptor, was excavating with a group of archaeologists specialising in the First World War when he visited the grave.

"I realised that we would be excavating just 30 miles from Mynarski's grave and so made it my mission to take some time off and visit.

"Before the trip, I talked to pupils at Middleton St George Primary School about Mynarski and the headteacher, Janine Gleeson, wrote a message on one of the crosses on their behalf.

"Visiting Mynarski's grave was something I knew I had to do. It was inspiring and emotional and I would have been very disappointed if I didn't go."

In June, The Northern Echo launched a £40,000 appeal to get a statue built at the airport in Mynarski's honour.

Anyone who would like to to make a donation can send a cheque made payable to The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero Appeal to: The Forgotten Hero Appeal, Newsdesk, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF.