Local airfield reaching for the skies; Flying club extending runway to accommodate vintage WW2 airplanes

PLANS to extend the runway at North Coates Airfield will see historic aircraft soar across Marsh village skies - and into Cleethorpes.

In six weeks, the volunteer run club in North Cotes will have a runway stretching 777 metres - more than 120 metres longer than the current one. It means iconic Spitfires, Hurricanes and other Second World War aircraft can land at the small airbase just in time for Cleethorpes' Festival Of Flight.

For flying club chairman, Mike Speakman, having such historically-important airplanes at the base is beyond exciting.

He said: "The current runway is too short and challenging for these very big airplanes to land safely.

"It will be quite an achievement for us and we will be really proud to have the Spitfire, Hurricane and other Second World War aircraft here.

"I have no doubt the public, as well as the flying club members, would like to see them there." Festival Of Flight organisers have not said the Spitfire will definitely fly into North Coates but last year they did welcome a Hawkin Nimrod glider for the weekend.

The festival was a resounding success, bringing in 70,000 visitors to the resort and boosting the local economy by £3 million.

It will take place on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 this year and this year organisers have promised it will be even bigger and better before.

Mr Speakman added: "The Festival Of Flight is a wonderful attraction.

"People are slowly finding out that seaside towns are the best location for air displays.

"There is a great promenade for the spectators and a clear area for the display.

"It is a great boost for tourism and for the local airbase."

Volunteers have carried out the work themselves, which included realigning the runway, and are now waiting for the grass on the runway to grow.

. ? View footage of a spitfire at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

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