VETERAN air gunners from all over the country held their annual reunion in York.

The airmen from the Second World War met at the Yorkshire Air Museum, at Elvington, yesterday for a service of remembrance and parade of veterans.

It began in style with a flypast of four Tucano aircraft in honour of the veterans.

The guest of honour was Wing Commander Mike Longstaff, the chief flying instructor at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

A spokesman for the air museum said: "This is always an emotive day, with many memories shared and long-standing friendships kept alive."

He said that though the numbers attending may be dwindling, the gathering was still a humbling experience.

Updated: 10:18 Friday, July 04, 2003