SEVENTY years ago, on October 9, 1945, the residents of Tockwith had no idea about the life changing events coming their way.

With only a mere five months since the end of the Second World War, many were still coming to terms with the horrors their neighbours had suffered or endured.

But at 1.34am the village was ripped apart when a Stirling Bomber crashed into Marston Road, and villagers awoke to find a site many of them had hoped they would never see again so soon after returning from the World's battlefields.

Tockwith postmaster, Arthur William Carlill, and all six crew members were killed, and 19 houses were wrecked in the devastation.

It is a terrible memory and one which has left Tockwith with a nightmarish tale always remembered by those who live there.

No-one will ever forget the events and for generations to come a lasting memorial will now sit in the village after Tockwith Parish Council gave permission for a poignant memorial to be built.

The memorial includes the names of all crew members - pilot P/O S.H. Bunting, engineer Sgt R.V. Viall, navigator Sgt R.A. Alexander, bomb-aimer Flight Officer H Griffiths, wireless operator Sgt A.E.Boness, and air gunner Flight Officer J Cantle-Jones.

Descendants of those killed, along with the bishop of Selby and representatives from the RAF, police and fire service turned up for its unveiling yesterday followed by an exhibition about the crash presented by historian Brian Lunn.

Norman Waller, chairman of Tockwith Parish Council, said: "The day went very well and it's already been nicknamed The Sterling Spirit, like the Angel of the North.

"It was a very emotional day for a lot of people and the whole village got together for a tremendous turn out.

"The Royal British Legion, Air Training Corps, Cubs and Scouts who were there really added to the occasion."