DECORATED American veteran Bruce Betcher has made a highly emotional return to the region - decades after his daring wartime exploits.

The 90-year-old Bomber Command hero flew 33 operations in eight months during the Second World War from the most northerly of all stations, at Middleton St George, near Darlington.

He was given a warm welcome at the Yorkshire Air Museum, at Elvington, near York, where he was given a glimpse of the award-winning attraction's Halifax bomber.

Mr Betcher, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943.

He saw service in Europe, flying with 419 Squadron from Middleton St George.

As a Flight Lieutenant, he flew his 33 operations between August 1943 and April 1944, mostly on Halifax Mk II, M for Mike.

The Middleton St George base had only received its first flying unit in April 1941, when 78 Squadron arrived from Dishforth, in North Yorkshire.

The first Canadian squadron arrived in October 1942, flying Wellingtons, and was joined a month later by 419 Squadron, which has re-equipped with Halifaxes.

He was to meet his future wife, First Lieutenant Elizabeth Anderson, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in July 1944.

Hailing from Massachusetts, she was a nurse with the 116th General Hospital in the town. They married in America in June 1946. She died several years ago.

Mr Betcher made the transatlantic journey to Elvington from his home in Crookston, Minnesota, after arranging to meet an old friend, Lt Col John Harding, a former US Air Force Dakota pilot.

Ian Richardson, of the museum, said: "We always welcome ex-Halifax veterans, and indeed all Second World War veterans, but it was especially pleasing to see such an unusual visitor. It was an emotional time for him."

* Visitors to the museum can get a closer look at the Halifax bomber during an open day, on Sunday. The event will include flypasts by the Dakota, Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight during the afternoon.