Aviation enthusiasts and local historians today called for the former site of a pioneering aircraft firm in York to be commemorated when it is demolished.

The former aircraft factory building in 1983 when it was in use as a car hire depot

The building in Piccadilly which once housed the Airspeed Ltd factory - where aeroplanes were produced during the 1930s - is to be knocked down to make way for housing.

So campaigners are urging the developers to allow them to create a lasting reminder of York's little-known air industry.

Oscar Addyman, aviation enthusiast and former member of the Harrogate Aircraft Club, is calling for a room in the new development to be given over to the history of Airspeed, or at the very least the installation of a plaque commemorating the site's history.

Mr Addyman said that while the city's railway heritage is well known, few people are aware that planes were once built within the city walls.

"We need to make sure that when this building is pulled down the whole lot isn't lost in the mists of history as the factory is a vital part of York's past," he said.

"It would be a great shame for York not to remember."

Airspeed was established in 1931 by author Neville Shute thanks to a £3,000 investment by Lord Grimthorpe, who wanted to provide jobs for the city's unemployed.

Barnstorming aviator Sir Alan Cobham was also on Airspeed's board. The site of the former municipal bus garage was leased to the company and production started on wooden gliders, which sold for £248.

Airspeed's first model, the Tern, was taken by road to Sherburn-in-Elmet airfield where the author put it through its paces. It later set the distance record for a glider after flying from Ravenscar to Scarborough.

Other models followed, including the Courier, the world's first single-engine monoplane with retractable undercarriage.

But Airspeed soon became too successful for the Piccadilly premises and the company moved to an airfield site on the South Coast.

Local historian and chairman of the trustees of the Yorkshire Air Museum, Derek Reed, said the site's developers should consider installing a plaque or a model of one of the aircraft built by the firm.

"Few people will be aware that aeroplanes were once built inside the city walls, but a very important aviation history is attached to the dilapidated old building," he said.

John Shannon, chairman of York Civic Trust, agreed, saying the Trust could arrange for any such plaque to be made and put up.

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