AN INITIATIVE to restore and reinvigorate an aircraft at the core of Bournemouth Airport's history has received growing support.

Organisers of the 'Save the Bournemouth BAC 1-11' are progressing with plans to find a use for the aircraft, which is currently located at the airport.

Several meetings have already taken place and an inspection to assess the condition of the aeroplane has been carried out.

Philip Smith, who is a former aircraft engineer and one of the lead organisers for the campaign, said the group are currently looking for a new home for the BAC 1-11.

"We are moving forward with plans to save the aircraft in some form," he said.

"We are appealing for help from the local community, councils, businesses, land owners, and we will also need many volunteers with an array of experience and talents.

"Our aim is to use the aircraft or a part of it to tell the story of aircraft manufacturing in Bournemouth and Christchurch as well as the surrounding area, as a tribute to the thousands of people who have worked at Bournemouth Airport and Hurn before it.

"We have received growing support on a daily basis and we really feel the history of Bournemouth Airport is not celebrated and virtually unknown to the vast majority of local people."

A Facebook group set up to coordinate the project has around 180 members.

Initial hopes of using the aircraft, or part of it, as a safeguard have been scrapped.

However, Mr Smith said the BAC 1-11, which was manufactured at the airport more than 50 years ago, can serve as a vital asset.

"With the UK coming out of Europe the display would also be used to encourage students and school leavers into the engineering sector where when Britain puts its mind to something we can produce beautiful aircraft such as the 1-11," he said.

"The size of this project cannot be underestimated and it will require a lot of goodwill and money, which we aim to raise, but first we need to find a home for her.

"The aircraft will need to be transported from its current location to a new home.

"This itself is a mammoth undertaking with the wings needing to be cut off before it can be removed from airport property. "Obviously our first priority is to find a location for it. We would love this to be local but accept that this may not be possible. In the event of this we have a plan B, which will be asking other aircraft museums if they would be interested."

For more information about the campaign and to get involved visit www.facebook.com/groups/601793650191632/