IGNORING the "once-in-a-lifetime" chance to bring Concorde to York would be "a tragedy" for the city, a museum chief said today.

Ian Reed, director of the Yorkshire Air Museum, has called on Evening Press readers to support a bid to bring one of the supersonic princesses to the region.

British Airways has short-listed the Elvington museum as a possible home for one of Britain's seven redundant Concordes.

It is one of 12 possible sites being considered by the air giant, and Mr Reed is keen to ensure that the museum grasps the opportunity with both hands.

He said it was worth raising the roof for the possibility of bringing a Concorde to Yorkshire - the birthplace of manned flight - in the face of worldwide competition. With a maximum speed of Mach 2.05 (twice the speed of sound), Concorde is faster than most fighter jets in the world's air forces.

It can cruise on the edge of space at 50,500 feet above the earth's surface and can carry 144 passengers in complete luxury.

A total of 16 aircraft were built by British Aerospace and its French partner Aerospatiale - entering passenger service with Air France and British Airways from 1976. They will officially retire from service later this year.

Mr Reed said: "To ignore this once-in-a-lifetime chance would be a great loss to the Museum, and a tragedy for York, Yorkshire and the north-east.

"I cannot overestimate the huge visitor attraction potential for the region, and I call upon all those in a position to support us, to ensure an example comes to Elvington."

Yorkshire Air Museum is the UK's largest independent air museum, with more than 50 aircraft. Museum chiefs believe that with its site of more than 20 acres, approved plans for additional hangars, well-established aircraft maintenance and proposals for a unique visitor display and "experience", the attraction meets the criteria set by British Airways.

Mr Reed said: "Even if you have no interest whatsoever in aeroplanes, Concorde is the one recognised by millions of people throughout the globe, and the one which creates interest wherever it goes.

"To get one of these world icons for Yorkshire would be wonderful."

Updated: 10:21 Friday, June 27, 2003