A FIGHTER base played host to a group of VIPs and raised more than £2,000 for the Royal Air Force Association's Battle of Britain Wings Appeal.

The Corporate VIP Day was the idea of chief technician Nobby Clark, the RAFA Liaison Officer at RAF Leeming, near Bedale.

"As a team, we are always working hard to find new ways to raise funds for the appeal," he said.

"This year is particularly special in that we are commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

"The aim of the day was to provide a unique opportunity for our guests to enter an auction for an exclusive guided tour of the station.

"We wanted to offer them a very special and memorable day, at the same time helping to raise funds for an extremely worthwhile cause."

The programme included a welcome brief by the station commander, Group Captain Ian Morrison, and visitors tried their hand at shooting the latest weapons on a laser range. After lunch in the officers' mess, the VIPs were given a detailed tour of one of the base's Tornado F3s and the air traffic control centre.