SPRING cleaning was in the air at a popular York attraction, as an historic glider was scrubbed from top-to-toe.

Staff at the Yorkshire Air Museum, at Elvington, got ready for another busy year by cleaning and refurbishing many of the aircraft and displays.

The fragile Cayley Glider was one of the aircraft selected for a thorough clean.

The glider is an early fixed-wing, man-carrying aircraft, which was designed by North Yorkshire aviation pioneer Sir George Cayley in 1852.

Made of wood and canvas, the glider had to be up-ended so the fabric wing could be washed down with a weak soap solution.

The tricky procedure took place outside and special care was taken to make sure the water dried without staining the material.

The Cayley Glider will take pride of place alongside the Wright Flyer, during the museum's celebration of the centenary of flight.

The Wright Flyer is one of only two authentic replicas in this country of the world's first powered aircraft, which was designed and built by the Wright brothers.

Updated: 10:35 Tuesday, April 15, 2003