VETERANS from around the world will gather in the North-East today to pay poignant tribute to a once-forgotten Second World War hero.

A lasting memorial of Canadian air gunner Andrew Mynarski - who died after a valiant struggle to save the life of his friend on board a Lancaster bomber - will be unveiled at Durham Tees Valley Airport at 11am.

The ceremony will be performed by Colleen Bacon, the daughter of the man Pilot Officer Mynarski desperately tried to save, who has travelled to the region from her home in Toronto.

The 8ft 6in bronze statue was commissioned by The Northern Echo as the first fitting tribute to the Victoria Cross-winner in this country.

Mynarski's heroism had not previously been recognised, despite his fateful flight having set out from the airport, at Middleton St George, near Darlington, when it was a Royal Canadian Air Force base.

The paper's Forgotten Hero campaign, launched last June on the 60th anniversary of the failed mission over France, aimed to raise £40,000 for the sculpture.

But thanks to readers here and in North America, who were touched by Mynarski's heroism, plus a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the appeal exceeded its target - collecting more than £76,000.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose Sedgefield constituency includes the airport, said on the eve of the unveiling last night: "I think this is a fantastic commemoration.

"It is great to see The Northern Echo building on its campaigning traditions to mount a successful appeal which brings the community together to commemorate the heroism of one extraordinary man.

"By celebrating Mynarski's bravery, the statue will also remind everyone who passes through the airport of all of those who risked and sacrificed so much.

"It reminds us how we struggled for freedom and democracy in this country, and what a great deal we owe to my father's generation and also - because Mynarski was a Canadian - to people from abroad."

The extra cash raised from the Forgotten Hero appeal will be given to Middleton St George Primary School, near to the airport, which was burnt down by arsonists in 2003.

Pupils are involved in a history project focusing on the hero, who died aged 27, and the additional money will buy them books and equipment.

Mr Blair added: "It is also great to see the next generation - the children of Middleton St George Primary - involved in a project that helps commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the war."

Ms Bacon told The Echo she was proud to have been asked to perform the unveiling. Her sister, Sherry Sullivan, will also attend.

Their father, Pat Brophy, who was trapped at the rear of the plane after it was hit by German gunfire, miraculously survived the crash-landing, even though Mynarski's incredible effort to save him failed.

Ms Bacon said: "People I talk to here in Canada are just amazed at what is happening. It's wonderful that I can be there for this day."

Relatives of other crew members have also made the journey to the region, including the only surviving widows - Shirley Friday, from Thunder Bay, Ontario, who was married to bomb-aimer Jack Friday, and Ellen Vigars, from Guildford, Surrey, whose late husband, Roy, was the only Englishman on board.

Peter Barron, Editor of The Northern Echo, said: "This campaign was aimed at remembering the sacrifice of not just one man but the courage of a generation.

"It has been a privilege to work with so many partners to ensure that the bravery of Andrew Mynarski, and those who fought alongside him, will be remembered for generations to come."

The largest newspaper in Mynarski's home city of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Free Press, joined our campaign, and we received messages of support from all over the world.

Donations came from numerous people and organisations, including the Royal British Legion, the Royal Canadian Air Force and veterans' associations on both sides of the Atlantic.

The six local authorities with shares in the airport - Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, and Redcar and Cleveland - each donated £1,000. The airport gave £5,000.

The statue, created by North-East sculptor Keith Maddison, will be unveiled this morning at the airport's St George Hotel, though its final resting place will be at the airport building.

The event will include a flypast by a Lancaster bomber from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, plus a performance from the Middleton St George Primary School choir.