IT was the pinnacle of three years of hard work.

Friday's breathtaking appearance of Gnaty - a Folland Gnat XR537- at the More Bus Bournemouth Air Festival celebrated the end of three years of painstaking work to restore the unique aircraft.

Flown by former Red Arrows team member Justin Hughes, the Gnat made a solo display and was then reunited with the Red Arrows in a special commemorative flypast to mark the 90th anniversary of the Royal Air Force.

The re-launch was marked with a special lunch at a VIP marquee on the seafront by the directors or De Havilland Aviation, in conjunction with the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association.

It was also held in aid of the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.

Royal Marine Lt Thornton lost his life in Afghanistan in March this year. The 22-year-old from Ferndown was serving with 40 Commando Brigade when he was killed in a roadside bomb attack in Helmand province.

He was a former air cadet, who had flown with the Red Arrows, and he had also previously volunteered to spend six months in Iraq with the Devon and Dorsets.

His father Peter told the Echo that Lt Thornton left his family a series of letters, including one with money for three causes close to his heart - Ferndown Upper School, Dorset and Wilts Wing Air Cadets and Air Cadet Junior Leaders Course.

So in his memory the foundation was set up to encourage and assist young people to climb as high as they can dream'.

It will provide scholarships and bursaries for the training and personal development of young people in pursuit of their ambitions.

Speaking of the foundation, Peter said: "I think he would have been very proud of what's been done to help these three bodies. He would also have been a little taken aback at the effort people have put in for his memory. It has taken us all by surprise. He would really have loved the day."

Geoff Beck, managing director of De Havilland Aviation, said: "The aim of the day was to celebrate the re-launch of the Gnat as well as raising money for a really good cause."

Money was raised for the foundation through an auction offering top prizes such as a Cartier watch donated by Liz Bath and corporate tickets for Twickenham.

  • For more information about the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation email enquiries@jtyaf or log onto the website link below.