PREPARATIONS are well under way for the biggest-ever Battle of Britain commemoration service and parade at an airfield near York.

More than 1,000 ex-servicemen and women are expected to attend the annual reflection of Britain's "finest hour" at the Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, on Sunday, September 7.

The popular event, which sees a parade at the museum before a church service in the C2 hangar, will also play host to the traditional flypast of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster bombers.

John Allison, of the Yorkshire (Eastern Region) Royal Air Forces Association, said planning for this year's event had begun almost immediately following the last parade and service.

He said: "There will be more participants this year and we are expecting many more ex-servicemen and women to attend.

"It is my first year organising and I am biting my fingernails a bit and praying for good weather.

"We even have a vicar praying for the weather as well!" A fly-past by members of the Yorkshire University Air Squadron will also take place on a day, which will be attended by squadrons of the Air Training Corps.

Members of Queens Colour of 609 Squadron R (Aux) AF, from RAF Leeming, will be on show with Air Vice Marshal Sir John Willis GBE KCB FRAes attending as the guest of honour.

Air Vice Marshal Willis, who is the President of the Royal Air Forces Association North East Council, will take the salute.

Last year, about 900 people took part in the service, with 300 participating in the annual march.

The event, which commemorates the RAF's dogged resistance against the German Luftwaffe during the Summer of 1940, has become very popular with the RAF and Royal Air Forces Association.

It is being held this year as a prelude to Battle of Britain Day, on September 15.

Updated: 08:50 Friday, May 30, 2003