A LABOUR of love which has been taking shape in a York aviation enthusiast's garage for almost a decade will soar triumphantly into the skies tomorrow.

Tony Simms, 64, of Badger Hill, York, bought the 1951 RAF Chipmunk, in 1988 and started restoring it in earnest four years later.

The former RAF engineer who has a private pilot's licence and is also an instructor, recruited the help of a former pupil, David Mason, who willingly added hours of labour to the project, particularly with fixing the canvas to the wings.

The plane cost £6,000 to buy and, after spending a further £14,000 on the restoration project, Mr Simms is excited at the prospect of flying it in the skies above Rufforth Airfield.

It will be the crowning moment of countless hours spent slaving away in his extended garage. He invited many a look of surprise on days when he parked the plane on the front lawn so he could give the garage a good spring clean.

Mr Simms said: "I worked on Chipmunks with the RAF.

"The RAF started using them to train pilots after the war when they finished using Tiger Moths and it's just one of those aeroplanes which everybody wants to fly. "Some pilots say it's like flying a mini Spitfire - it's an interesting aeroplane.

"To actually fly an aeroplane after you've put it all together is an extra special feeling."