A campaign to remember a forgotten hero of the Second World War is launched today by The Northern Echo.

Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski was 27 when he took off on his final fatal mission from RAF Middleton St George, near Darlington, on June 12, 1944.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross for trying to save the life of a friend on his blazing Lancaster bomber which was hit by enemy fire over France.

In his native Canada, Mynarski is a national hero, but in this country his incredible bravery is almost completely forgotten.

Now, as the 60th anniversary of Mynarski's death approaches, The Northern Echo is spearheading a campaign to erect an 8ft high bronze £40,000 statue in his honour.

The launch of the campaign is timed to coincide with an annual reunion of Mynarski's former colleagues at St George's Hotel, on the airport site, tomorrow.

RAF Middleton St George is now Teesside International Airport, which is undergoing redevelopment, and officials there are supporting the campaign for the statue to be erected on a prominent site.

The statue will face Mynarski's native Canada and will depict the hero in full salute.

Mynarski's bravery means Teesside is the only commercial airport to be able to boast a VC flyer.

The campaign has already won the support of Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Royal British Legion, the Royal Canadian Air Force and many others.

Mr Blair said last night: "After the moving events last weekend in Normandy, it is very fitting that the 60th anniversary of the heroism of Andrew Mynarski is being remembered today.

"The story of the final flight of Lancaster KB726 VR-A is one which underlines the courage, sacrifice and comradeship of those who fought on land, sea and air to defeat tyranny and liberate Europe. This memorial will rightly commemorate the heroism of one extraordinary man.

"But by celebrating his bravery, it will also remind everyone who passes through Teesside Airport of all those who risked and sacrificed so much to pass on a better world to the next generation."

It is hoped to have the statue erected next year, the 60th anniversary year of Victory in Europe.

We have linked up with the Winnipeg Free Press, the biggest newspaper in Mynarski's home town of Winnipeg, for the campaign.

Editor Nicholas Hirst said: "This is a fantastic initiative and we are delighted to help The Northern Echo make this a reality."

James Holowaty, Mynarski's nephew and family spokesman, said: "We are absolutely surprised and delighted that people in England should remember Andrew in this way."

Hugh Lang, managing director of Teesside Airport - soon to be changed to Durham-Tees Valley Airport - said: "We are evaluating options for the most suitable location for the statue and subsequently the level of financial commitment. The airport continues to be very supportive of the project."

A statement from Canada's Air Force said: "It is a simple but tragic story - one man's incredible bravery to try to save the life of his mate. You have made us all proud of the strong and enduring bonds between Britain's and Canada's air forces."

A statement from the Royal British Legion said: "To erect a statue to his memory would be a fitting memorial to this man's courage.

"The cost of our freedom was bought with the lives of many thousands of young men, not just from this country but from all over the world. Men like Pilot Officer Mynarski from Canada."

Pedro Gaspar, site conservation officer of the War Memorial Society, said: "All our war heroes should be remembered, we fully support the campaign."

Didy Grahame, secretary to the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, said: "We are delighted to support this campaign to recognise such a great hero."

Ray Mallon, Mayor of Middlesbrough, said: "This is a fitting tribute not only to the incredible courage of one man but also to the bravery displayed by the hundreds who flew from across the Tees Valley air bases in the Second World War."

The Northern Echo was alerted to Mynarski's story by Betty Amlin, a Sedgefield woman married to Jimmy Amlin who also served with the Royal Canadian Air Force at Middleton St George. She said: "It is important we never forget people like Andrew Mynarski."

How you can help

We need your help to raise the £40,000 it will cost to erect a statue in honour of Andrew Mynarski. You can send cheques made out to The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero Appeal to: The Forgotten Hero Appeal, Newsdesk, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, County Durham DL1 1NF. If you are planning a fund-raising event - or remember Mynarski - write to us, or call the newsdesk on (01325) 505065/505064/505054/505068

*See Features Section for more about Andrew Mynarski.