A PROPELLER blade from a Second World War fighter plane has been found after 60 years - thanks to readers of The Northern Echo.

RAF expert Ken Chester appealed for help from readers to locate the Spitfire blade, signed by North-East flying ace George Bennions.

It appears in a photograph of members of 41(F) Squadron at RAF Catterick in 1940, but, until yesterday, its whereabouts was a mystery.

Mr Chester was searching for it on behalf of Squadron Leader Bennions, now 90, who flew Spitfires and won the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Mr Chester said he received a tremendous response from Echo readers, including a tip-off that the blade was at RAF Honington in Suffolk.

Yesterday, that was confirmed in a phone call from a flight lieutenant at the base.

"I'm over the moon," said Mr Chester, of Middlesbrough.

The blade will now be sent to RAF Coltishall, in Norfolk, where the 41 (F) Squadron is based.