THE annual aviation day at a young offenders' institution has been hailed the best yet.

Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, near Barnard Castle, hosted the event in its memorial garden yesterday.

The day began with a service dedicated to Pilot Officer Albert Logan, of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who lost his life when his Spitfire crashed in Teesdale 60 years ago.

There was also a flypast by two Hawks from the RAF's 100 Squadron, based at RAF Leeming.

Other highlights included a parade led by Teesdale Pipes and Drums. Visitors included the Bishop Auckland amateur radio club, an air crash investigator and Air Cadets.

The event was attended by 40 children from Startforth School and the event was estimated to have attracted more than 200 people.

Aviation historian John Yarker, who gave an illustrated talk on aviation archaeology, said: "This is the seventh year we have done it. It started off as a small event and it has grown bigger as time has gone on."