A SPECIALLY designed baton marking the centenary of the formation of the Royal Air Force arrived in the region yesterday.

Flight Lieutenant Miriam Aicheler presented the baton to Geoff Hill Chairman of Middleton St George Memorial Association.

The visit came just days after a special memorial service at the site honouring the bravery and dedication of all those who served at the base, near Darlington, throughout the Second World War.

And the arrival of the baton was marked with a flypast by two RAF Tutor aircraft.

During the tour of the site, the visiting RAF personnel enjoyed watching the driving out to the 23 remaining “dispersal pans” that were used to fuel Lancaster bombers during the war.

The relay began its journey at the Royal Courts of Justice on 1 April 2018 and will end 100 days later on 10 July on Horseguards Parade.

To follow the route of the baton around the country visit www.raf.mod.uk/raf100/news/raf100-baton-relay/