AN ENORMOUS nuclear bomber has started its journey towards York, more than a decade after negotiations began to acquire it.

The Dassault Mirage lVA is coming to the Allied Air Forces Memorial & Yorkshire Air Museum this week, where it will be re-constructed and put on display in Elvington.

The huge plane is 77ft long and 39ft wide, weighs 31 tonnes and could fly at speeds up to Mach 2.2 - about 1,100 mph.

Ian Reed, museum director, said the journey would take up to four days, by road and sea from Chateaudun Air Force Base, south west of Paris, to its new home at the Yorkshire Air Museum in Elvington.

He said: "This is the culmination of over 12 years of negotiation and is being followed by tens of thousands of supporters across the world via social media, internet, TV and press.

"Thanks to our sponsors and for your support in this unique and very special example of our close ties and excellent Anglo/French co-operation."

The convoy will travel to Le Havre, then by Brittany Ferries to Portsmouth and from there around London on the M25 and the M1 to York, and should be with the museum on Thursday, March 30.

Ian Richardson from the museum said: "This is almost the last lap, getting it here is one thing, and the logistics are tremendous. Sometimes you think it's going to be so difficult but the port at Portsmouth are excited about it as well, and that's a great achievement so they are helping out.

"Some time later on this year we're going to have a huge event here with participation from the French government, rolling out the aircraft. Someone said to me 'Britain initiates Brexit and there's a French nuclear bomber sent to the UK'. It's a great Anglo/French story and we've had support all the way and keeps this connection alive."

The journey is being shared on social media and online at mirage.yorkshireairmuseum.org