TRUSTEES and supporters of Bournemouth Aviation Museum are flying high after a turbulent few months spent fighting to keep their beloved museum open.

After a weekend celebrating their temporary home at Adventure Wonderland in Hurn, the trustees were back at work bright and early on Monday making arrangements to move the vintage aircraft as quickly as possible.

Richard Edwards, one of the four new trustees at the museum, said: "Everything rested on Christchurch council's planning decision. It was really on a knife-edge whether we'd be celebrating or calling other aviation museums on Friday morning to collect the exhibits."

Due to the expansion of Bournemouth Airport, the lease on the museum's 10-year home ended in November last year and ever since, supporters and volunteers have been trying to find alternative accommodation.

But because the museum was heavily reliant on income from sub-letting it was unable to afford any alternatives the airport offered, standing to lose 83 per cent of its revenue once in smaller accommodation.

Now the volunteers and supporters are looking to the future, for as well as moving the seven aircraft and five cockpits to Adventure Wonderland, they are also looking for long-term funding and permanent sites.

Mr Edwards said: "We want to build a regional aviation heritage centre, purpose-built, near the runways so we can continue our flying aircraft activities, but also where children can see the planes being restored.

"Ultimately we want it to be fun - something to educate and interest young people. But before any of that can happen we are seeking sponsors as well as government and EU funding to create this lasting legacy for our young people. It will be an asset to the community and aviation."