YORK students will get off to a flying start when they swap the classroom for the cockpit and cabin of a real aeroplane.

The Handley Page Herald aircraft has been given to York College by the Yorkshire Air Museum.

The aeroplane, which is kept at the Elvington-based museum, has been refitted by the college's construction department, and will be used to train travel and tourism students in all aspects of cabin crew preparation.

The aircraft's new future use will be officially launched at the museum on Wednesday, with a fashion show of cabin crew outfits from down the decades.

Travel and tourism course tutor Lynne Borrows said: "Collaboration between the Yorkshire Air Museum and the college has helped to provide this brilliant new facility. I am delighted to have such a good facility to offer to students."

Museum marketing manager Ian Richardson said: "This is an ingenious use of an aviation artefact. We look forward to welcoming students as they undertake their practical training.''

The fashion show will be held from 7pm on Wednesday. Tickets cost £6 each and are available by phoning 01904 770364.

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, March 31, 2004