A CROWD gasped as fire engines screeched to a halt beside a smoking plane.

Crews leapt out to douse the flames and rescue trapped passengers from the aircraft...

Fortunately, this was not a real air accident, but a simulated fire rescue laid on as part of an Emergency Services 999 day at the Yorkshire Air Museum.

Crews from the museum's own fire team were joined by the Defence Fire Service from RAF Linton-on-Ouse for the demonstration, which featured the museum's Handley Page Herald airliner.

Earlier in the day, a Sea King Search and Rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield landed at the museum, to join the Search and Rescue Training Unit from RAF Valley.

Also there at the day were mounted police from South Yorkshire Police, the coast guard, the RNLI, Scarborough and District Search and Rescue Team, the York Area Fire Safety Office with their water rescue unit, the Ambulance Service and the RAC.

Ian Reed, museum director, said the day was a first for the museum, which tried to lay on a different event for visitors every weekend.

"I'm very much encouraged by the participation of the emergency services and we're hoping to do this every year," he said.

Mr Reed said the museum had more than 1,000 visitors through its doors on the day and he was delighted with the success of the occasion.