Thousands watch Vulcan bomber's border flypast

The British-built aircraft, which played a key role in the UK's defence during the Cold War, was on a two-day final tour before being grounded. Country roads between Gretna and Brampton were busy with aviation enthusiasts and other spectators hoping to get a glimpse of the Vulcan's once familiar v-shape silhouette and hear the distinctive loud engines. They were not disappointed as the delta-winged aircraft, which was visiting 17 locations around the UK, made several circuits of the countryside around Crosby-on-Eden airport, at times tilting it wings in a final airborne salute.

A charity maintains what is thought to the last air-worthy Vulcan in the world but costs and lack of parts have meant it will become a ground-based attraction after this summer. David Kirkpatrick, a committee member at the Solway Aviation Museum at the airport, explained the tribute fly-past came about because parts from their own ground-based Vulcan had been donated to keep the last one flying longer. He said: "We estimated there were around 4,500 people at or in the vicinity of the airport. It was a fantastic turnout which demonstrates the level of interest in these remarkable aircraft."

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