RESIDENTS across the region will get the chance to see the Thank U NHS Spitfire fly over several hospitals in the region, including Bradford and Steeton.

The Spitfire will do a flypast over Bradford Royal Infirmary and Lynfield Mount Hospital in Bradford at 11.45am, and then at 2.39pm the iconic World War II plane will fly over Airedale Hospital before returning to its RAF base at Duxford.

The Spitfire took off at Duxford and is due to fly over Pinderfields at Wakefield at 11.38am, St Mary's in Leeds at 11.42 before arriving in Bradford at 11.45am.

It will then fly east to Harrogate, York, Northallerton and Darlington before and landing at Teesside Airport just after midday, where it will then take off at 1.30pm for its return journey covering much of the North-East but calling in over Airedale before its return to Duxford.

The NHS Spitfire pilot, John Romain, managing director and founder of Aircraft Restoration Company, said: “We have been attempting to fly past as many NHS hospitals and communities as we can throughout the duration of the project, taking into account the aircraft’s operational limitations.

"As this particular route was rescheduled with extra landing stops in the region, we were able to add extra hospitals including Airedale and Lynfield Mount. We are really excited to have been able to add these additional waypoints and we hope everyone enjoys seeing the NHS Spitfire today.”

Richard Willetts, of Great Horton, who made a donation to have his dad's name, Terry Willetts, hand painted on the Thank U NHS Spitfire, is pleased to be able to see the Spitfire today after last week's scheduled flight over Bradford had to be cancelled because of the weather.

"I'm going to go up and watch it this morning," said Richard. I'd be foolish not to take this chance up."

Richard was also pleased that Lynfield Mount Hospital, where he works as a mental health worker, and Airedale Hospital have been added to the list.

"It's really of them to remember everyone up here," he added.

If any readers would like to send their pictures and reactions about how the Spitfire looks, sounds or just to have the chance to see the iconic World War II plane, please email the T&A at daryl.ames@nqyne.co.uk