A SPITFIRE will roar over the North-east coast this summer to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight featuring some of the aircraft which won the war will take part in flying displays over all three days of this year’s Sunderland International Airshow.

Organisers of the annual spectacular, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Roker and Seaburn seafront each year, say they expect a Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane and Avro Lancaster to take part in the flypast.

Operations Officer and fighter pilot, Flight Lieutenant Antony Parkinson MBE, said the Memorial Flight were delighted to be returning to the airshow during the anniversary year.

He said: “As well as the Lancaster, we will be bringing the two iconic fighters from the Battle of Britain, the Spitfire and Hurricane and look forward to displaying these beautiful aircraft over the spectacular coastline at Sunderland’

Starting with its traditional evening launch party at Cliffe Park on Friday, July 24, the main airshow takes place on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26.

As well as the vintage aircraft, the airshow will also see the return of the ever popular Red Arrows and the awe-inspiring Typhoon FGR4.

Airshow Director Sue Stanhope added: “Last year we helped the Red Arrows celebrate their golden anniversary of display seasons and this year we have the fantastic opportunity to show our appreciation and respect to the aircraft and pilots from a previous era.

“The RAF BBMF are regular visitors to the Sunderland international Airshow and they remain a firm favourite with the crowds.

“The aircraft they fly never fail to impress and inspire those who see them and I encourage everyone to come along and show their support for the team as they commemorate this historic milestone.”