A FLYPAST of World War Two fighter planes could grace Darwen’s skies for the unveiling of a Spitfire model.

Organisers behind the event, which is likely to take place in September, have written to the RAF to ask for a display of Spitfires or Red Arrows.

Sunnyhurst town councillor Tony Melia had the idea to create a permanent memorial to the plane bought by townspeople in 1941 three years ago.

Apprentices at Darwen-based WEC Engineering are nearing completion on the 6.9m by 3.8m scale steel model, and Coun Melia is keen to see thousands of people at the unveiling.

He said: “We’ve put in an application to the RAF, but they will not guarantee it.

“If we can’t get a Battle of Britain fly-over, then we hope we can get the Red Arrows.

"But we’ll only find out a couple of weeks before, depending on their flight schedule.

“They do something most days, and they are looking to see where they will be in the country.

"If they are down south, they’ll not come up to Darwen especially.”

Students from Darwen Vale High School helped designing the model, which has been created free of charge.

It is expected to reach polishing stage by the end of the month, and now Blackburn with Darwen Council is deciding where it should be placed in Darwen town centre.

The two favoured locations are outside Darwen Leisure Centre, or outside the chemist in Market Street.

It will be on a plinth at a 45-degree angle upwards.

Coun Melia added: “I think if we got the fly-past, it would attract people in from all over the place.

“I’ve already had a letter from someone in the south saying how great it is we’re doing this, and even if we don’t get a yes from the RAF, it will still be a fantastic occasion.”

A fund to buy the plane was launched in Darwen in September 1940, and it was accepted into service in March 1941.

It is thought to have been lost in July while on duty over France.