A FORGOTTEN model of a wartime plane has been rescued to mark the release of the film Pearl Harbour.

It was almost 20 years ago that Paul Hewson, chairman of the Hartlepool Model Flying Club, set to work on a giant model of a Second World War Japanese fighter plane.

Over the next three years, he painstakingly recreated every detail of the Zero fighter, until his 28lb creation, with a 9ft wingspan, was complete.

But, as time passed, the model was forgotten, and was eventually stored in a dusty corner of the attic.

It was only when Mr Hewson's daughter, Carolyn, asked for suggestions of how to mark the release of Pearl Harbour, that he remembered its existence.

Carolyn, 18, said: "My friend Paul Bianco makes models to promote films, and we couldn't think of anything for Pearl Harbour, so I thought dad might have something we could use. When he told us about the model, we thought it would be perfect."

It took the pair three days to restore the plane to its original state, adding their own touches to make it even more authentic.

Carolyn, of Westbourne Road, Hartlepool, said: "We sprayed it up and put plastic windshields on, and we put an old pan on the front as the engine.

"We even put bullet marks and oil splashes on, and by the end, it looked really good."

The plane now has pride of place in the foyer of Hartlepool's Warner Village Cinema, where visitors will be able to view it for a couple of weeks.