A NORTH-EAST businessman last night recounted his unforgettable day rubbing shoulders with the great and the good on Concorde's last flight.

Steve Best, a Durham property owner and a regular transatlantic flier, was on board Flight BO 002 when it touched down at a packed Heathrow airport for the last time shortly after 4pm, three-and-a-half hours after take-off from JFK airport, New York.

Mr Best said it was a happy coincidence that he secured his seat on the last Concorde crossing from New York to London, having booked the ticket for a long-planned business trip last year.

While the rest of the passengers were invited to join the on-flight party, 46-year-old Mr Best will go down in history as the last fare-paying passenger on Concorde.

He said: "You could say it has been a sad and happy occasion.

"It is sad that it is the end of an era, but I am happy to have been part of it.

"I have probably flown transatlantic on Concorde eight to ten times over the last five years, but the first time was definitely the best, there is no doubt about it.

"I do not really know the full economic or technical issues behind the decision, but it is definitely the end of an era, end of story, and I am sure they made their minds up a long time ago."

The last day for Concorde began for passengers with a 4.30am early morning call at New York's Palace Hotel, where they had enjoyed a cocktail party the previous evening.

A fleet of 200 limousines ferried passengers to JFK airport for the 7.37am, US East Coast-time, departure.

Mr Best said it was a nice atmosphere on board as he rubbed shoulders with his star-studded fellow passengers, including actress Joan Collins, broadcaster Sir David Frost, motor-racing magnate Bernie Ecclestone and British Airways' chairman Lord Marshall, all enjoying caviar and champagne.

He said: "It was a day to remember, an historic occasion, the like of which will not happen again in my lifetime."