THE Great Yorkshire Air Show is now only days away, and a lucky Evening Press reader is going there as a VIP - and for free.

In June, we challenged readers to come up with interesting or amusing story about life at Elvington airfield, where the Evening Press sponsored event will be held.

A pair of VIP tickets to the show was up for grabs for the winning entry. Entries including a tale about the exploits of a Haxby gentleman who enjoyed a 35-year association with the airfield.

Another was an amusing story about a group of French airmen who would "borrow" a railway bogie to get back to Elvington from Layerthorpe after a night's drinking, sent in by a reader from Foxwood.

But the winning story came from Joan Ellis, of Sheriff Hutton.

She told of her time working in the airfield's canteen during runway extension work in the 1950s. The three-year job saw a small army of hungry workmen on the airfield, she said, meaning two vans were needed to ferry their meals on to the airfield.

After hearing she had won Mrs Ellis, 64, said: "That is brilliant news.

"It will be really nice to go back to the place I used to work and see how it looks now.

"Writing the story brought back lots of lovely memories, but actually going to the airfield will bring back even more," Mrs Ellis added.

Meanwhile, plans for the show are almost complete with a packed programme on offer.

Highlights include an appearance by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, featuring a Lancaster, Halifax and Spitfire, and old favourites the Red Arrows.

And there will also be some new record breakers, as a show spokesman explains. "The RAF Falcon display team have just broken the record for the highest ever formation jump - at Elvington - and are due to perform at the show."

The Great Yorkshire Air Show will take place at Elvington Airfield on Sunday, August 26, and Monday, August 27. For information ring 01759 305851.