THOUSANDS of people were able to catch a glimpse of a rare bomber plane as it flew over the region at the weekend.

The Vulcan XH558 bomber made its way over Durham Tees Valley Airport yesterday as part of the first day of its National Farewell Tour.

Thousands of enthusiasts waited patiently around the airport as the Vulcan approached from the south, with dozens of spectators crowding the airport's train station bridge for a better view.

Departing from Doncaster at 1pm, the Vulcan flew over Yorkshire, County Durham, Northumberland, Scotland, Cumbria, Lancashire and back to Doncaster for 4.30pm.

The flyovers are part of the bomber’s National Tour that have seen it cross the length and breadth of the UK in two of its longest flight missions since leaving RAF service in 1984.

The routes were carefully chosen to take the plane to as many people as possible within the available flying hours and constraints of flight permits.

The Vulcan, manufactured at Woodford Aerodrome near Stockport in the 1960s, has been touring UK airshows and displays for several years after a long restoration project.

It was originally built for use as a nuclear bomber during the Cold War years and is the last plane of its kind still flying.

However due to sponsors pulling out and the difficulties of finding mechanics able to service the unique plane, the iconic craft is now being retired.