THE sound of aero engines filled the sky above an old Second World War bomber base, as large crowds turned out for Yorkshire's only air show.

As many as 15,000 people passed through the gates on Sunday, with some queuing for more than two hours outside the Great Yorkshire Air Show, at Elvington, York.

And, with sunny skies over the runway again yesterday, organisers were predicting their best attendance.

Spokesman Ken Cothliff said: "I'm absolutely delighted. We just about filled the concrete rectangle parking area, which we have never done before."

There was a split last year between the owners of the airfield and some of the founders of the show, who have since gone back to the roots of the event, staging a model flying display at the York Gliding Centre, at Rufforth, over the same weekend.

However, with both events attracting big crowds, neither appears to have lost out.

At Elvington, visitors could take to the skies themselves, with helicopter rides available.

But, the aircraft were the stars of the show, with the Red Arrows display team amazing the crowds with their close passes, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight evoking memories of the old airfield's role 60 years ago.

Other highlights included displays by the French Apache PC75 team, the Utterly Butterly Barnstormers, and - making their debut at Elvington - the RAF Falcons parachute team.

Meanwhile, the Yorkshire Air Spectacular at Rufforth boasted a record 100 model aircraft on display, including a B17 bomber with an 18ft wingspan, and half-scale First World War fighters.

Organiser David Tappin said last night: "We are delighted. Thousands of people turned up and had a really good time.