THE Mayor of Winnipeg has praised all those involved in The Northern Echo campaign to have a statue erected in honour of Canadian war hero Andrew Mynarski.

Mayor Sam Katz has added his voice of thanks to those who helped raise the £40,000 needed to build a statue at Durham Tees Valley Airport, near Darlington, in memory of the brave Second World War Pilot Officer.

Mr Katz said: "I would personally like to congratulate all of those who contributed to honouring Andrew Mynarski. It is rewarding to know that so many citizens have supported this effort to create a lasting monument to a truly great Winnipegger."

The appeal raised more than £76,000 and the extra money will be given to nearby Middleton St George CE Primary School.

Mynarski, a 27-year-old air gunner was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for trying to save the life of his friend, Pat Brophy, on their blazing Lancaster bomber.

The plane flew from the Royal Canadian Air Force base at Middleton St George, which is now the airport.

The campaign to build a statue won the support of the biggest newspaper in Mynarski's home city, the Winnipeg Free Press as well as the Canadian Air Force Heritage Fund.

Pat Flynn, Free Press deputy editor, said: "We salute The Northern Echo newspaper for honouring the memory of one of Winnipeg's bravest sons. The Free Press and its employees are proud of the role our newspaper played and I'm sure our readers who contributed so much are equally as proud."

The total raised in Canada was about $22,000.

Captain Ben Bond, air force historian with the First Canadian Air Division, said: "I'm ecstatic. There now will always be a physical memory of the bravery of Andrew Mynarski. I thank the people who donated very much.

"This preserves a part of our air force heritage and helps recognise a local hero. I'm just tickled pink."