HUNDREDS of aircraft from around the country descended on a former North Yorkshire RAF base this weekend.

A revival fly-in was held at RAF Church Fenton on Sunday, with about 800 people gathering to watch 250 aircraft of all shapes and sizes land at the site.

The event had been due to take place on Saturday, but was delayed due to bad weather.

Organiser Chris Makin bought the site with the intention of opening a flying training school, which he hopes will create 100 jobs in the next five years.

He said: "It was absolutely incredible.

"At some stage we had ten aircraft queuing up to land. It's been unbelievable and the feedback from the locals has been absolutely mega. Blown away, are the words and the support has been incredible."

The event was due to include an air display by ex-European aerobatic champion Tom Cassell, but due to the number of planes in the sky, this was cancelled for safety reasons.

Mr Makin said: "We decided not to do the display for safety reasons, because we were so busy with landings. It didn't stop people coming and enjoying themselves, but I think it's something we will definitely look to do for next time, so watch this space.

"We will have a lot of events like this in future. What's been overwhelming was local people, children and farmers have come over and shaken my hand and said 'fantastic, well done', and asked what we were doing with the site."

The base was closed by the Ministry of Defence under cost cutting measures, and Mr Makin - who lives near Leeds and runs a soft fruit business - said he had bought almost all of the 450-acre site to continue the status as "one of Britain's most important airfields".

Church Fenton was the home of the first RAF Eagle Squadron of American volunteers in 1940, whose role was to protect industrial areas in Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and Humberside during the Second World War.