THIS week 15 years ago, the 15th annual Sunderland International Airshow took place.

More than a million people came together to watch traditional favourites like the RAF's Red Arrows aerobatic display team.

Sunderland's adopted warship, HMS Ocean, provided an impressive backdrop, positioned about three-quarters of a mile offshore, and a detachment of Royal Marines almost stole the show with a daring rescue mission.

Airshow director Peter Chapman was delighted at the success of the show, which started in 1989.

He said: "Sunday, as ever, has been extremely busy and even the changeable weather on Saturday failed to dampen spirits. People come to the event from all over the country and abroad, and once again the airshow will have had a major impact on the local economy."

Meanwhile, two police officers were praised after rescuing a woman from a smoke-filled flat.

PC Michael Woolston and Richard Laviolette carried out the operation after a neighbour raised the alarm.

The officers kicked in the door of the first-floor flat in Branksome Lodge, Darlington, after arriving before firefighters.

PC Woolston said: "The flat was filled with thick smoke. We searched around and found the woman unconscious on the settee.

"I picked her up and put her outside. My colleague went into the kitchen where the oven was and turned everything off.

"We made sure the woman was breathing and put a couple of blankets over her. She came round more or less as the ambulance was pulling up."

The 48-year-old woman was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital where she was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation and later released.

Also that week, one of the region’s award-winning museums celebrated its 30th birthday.

The Green Howards Regimental Museum in Richmond, North Yorkshire was opened on July 25, 1973, by King Olav V of Norway, who was colonel-in-chief of the regiment.

Its most famous artefact is a bible once owned by Oliver Cromwell.

Honorary chaplain, Canon Richard Cooper marked the anniversary casting his eye over the Cromwell Bible and other artefacts, which showed the history of the regiment from its formation in 1688 to the present day.

The museum owns 16 of the 18 Victoria Crosses awarded to Green Howards' soldiers.