ONE of the greatest planes of the Second World War has been given a fresh lick of paint.

This plane, however, has never actually left the ground.

It is a life-size replica of a mark nine Spitfire on display at Eden Camp, near Malton, North Yorkshire.

The modern history museum, in a former prisoner-of-war camp, got the fibre-glass fighter plane eight years ago.

Museum director Steve Jaques said that it was looking a bit sad and needed to be smartened up.

He said: "It has taken about four men in the maintenance department three weeks to repaint it. The markings and reference number of the plane are a tribute to David Blair, who worked part-time here when he retired.

"He flew a Spitfire in his day and the markings are that of his squadron.

"They are fantastic aircraft, with remarkable body work - they were originally built for racing, but the men that handled them in the war were exceptionally brave."