MUSIC lovers enjoyed an afternoon of military sounds at a concert in aid of The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal yesterday.

The Normandy Band of the Queen's Division, from Catterick, North Yorkshire, performed at the first Andrew Mynarski VC Memorial Concert at the Dolphin Centre, Darlington.

They were joined on stage by the choir from Middleton St George Primary School.

Pieces included the Hymn to the Fallen, from the film Saving Private Ryan, the 1812 Overture, and the British and Canadian national anthems.

The concert was organised to boost the Forgotten Hero appeal, which aims to raise £40,000 for an 8ft bronze statue of Second World War hero Andrew Mynarski at Durham Tees Valley Airport.

The brave 27-year-old air gunner, from Winnipeg, Canada, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for trying to save the life of his friend, Pat Brophy, on their blazing Lancaster bomber, which flew out of the airport, then a Royal Canadian Air Force base.

Canadian war veterans Fred Chatwin and Jimmy Amlin, former members of Mynarski's squadron, attended the concert as standard-bearers.

A second concert will take place on Sunday, April 10, for which tickets are still available.

Producer Ivor Shirley said: "It was a marvellous little concert. The children were great and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves.

"Now we need to get as many people to the second concert as possible."

Tickets, priced £10, are available from the Dolphin Centre or The Northern Echo office, in Priestgate. Alternatively, call (01325) 388410 or 381313.

Published: 14/03/2005