A RECORD-BREAKING crowd turned out for a day of rip-roaring excitement provided by the Great Yorkshire Air Show at Elvington.

The Evening Press-sponsored event, which continued today, attracted more than 15,000 spectators yesterday.

Some motorists queued for more than two hours to get there, but it proved to be well worth the wait.

Thousands of parents and children milled around the site, tucking into candy floss and hot dogs, while others opted for high-octane fun and travelled in a helicopter, or went on a fairground ride.

Scores of stalls lined the runway.

But most visitors never took their eyes from the sky as death-defying aerobatics combined with dazzling examples of vintage aircraft to provide something for everyone.

Highlights included a heart-stopping display by the Red Arrows, whose daredevil pilots flew within whiskers of each other before rising into the sky trailing plumes of coloured smoke.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was also popular, including a flypast by the Avro Lancaster, Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane.

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

A colourful Hawker Hunter jet fighter, known as Miss Demeanour, also put in an appearance, demonstrating its extraordinary manoeuvrability. It was painted by owner and pilot Jonathon "Flapjack" Whaley, who says it is not a felony to paint a Hunter, just a misdemeanour.

Dean and Anna Walters-Holliday, of Welton Avenue, York, said the event was "amazing". Dean said: "We had a brilliant time. My grandad was based at Elvington, so it was great to come back."

Niki Calderwood, 27, drove from London to watch the event.

She said: "Some of the aerobatics made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. The whole event was awesome."

Event organiser Ken Cothliff said: "I'm absolutely delighted.

"We just about filled the concrete rectangle parking area, which we've never done before.

"The Meteor and Sea Vixen aircraft unfortunately couldn't make the show because of dreadful weather down south, but we hope to have them here today. We're expecting an even bigger crowd."

Meanwhile, a Yorkshire Air Spectacular at Rufforth Airfield also proved to be a Bank Holiday hit. Thousands of visitors craned their necks skywards to watch skilful displays by the owners of the painstakingly-built giant model aircraft.

A record 100 aircraft were on display, including a B17 bomber with an 18ft wingspan, and half-scale versions of classic First World War fighters.

Organiser David Tappin said: "We're delighted. Thousands of people turned up and had a really good time in the sunny weather.

"Rufforth Gliding Club has already said it wants us back next year, which is fantastic."

Updated: 11:17 Monday, August 27, 2001