Elvington Airfield with the hoax 'Sold' sign

Mischief-makers have been blamed for a "Sold" sign which has mysteriously appeared outside Elvington Airfield.

The future of the airfield near York - and its annual air display spectacular - has been uncertain since the Ministry of Defence put it up for sale in early 1998.

A shortlist of eight potential buyers was drawn up last year, but hopes that the sale would be completed before the end of 1999 proved unfounded.

It looked as if the long wait was finally over when the estate agents' sign outside was overlaid with a "Sold" sticker.

But it has now emerged that the sign is apparently the work of pranksters.

Richard Corby, of HBSV chartered surveyors which is handling the sale on behalf of the MoD, said: "It appears to be mischief by somebody locally."

He said negotiations over the sale were continuing and he hoped there would be an announcement in the "not-too-distant" future.

Dave Tappin, organiser of the annual air show and a member of a consortium from the neighbouring Yorkshire Air Museum which is bidding to buy the airfield, said: "This thing seems to be going on and on. We we have just about given up with it."

An MoD spokesman said recently: "A preferred purchaser has been selected but we cannot make an announcement yet."

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