THE chronicler of a Yeadon aircraft factory's war effort hopes the New Year will bring recognition from Leeds Bradford Airport of the work of thousands of Aireborough people.

Gerald Myers, of Tranmere Park, Guiseley, has spent the past five years pushing for airport bosses to put up a commemorative plaque for the thousands of people who worked at the Avro factory.

Mr Myers, himself a schoolboy in Yeadon during the war, has been trying to get the factory workers' efforts recognised after he wrote the book Mother Worked at Avro, in 1995.

He said: "What we are trying to do is get a plaque placed somewhere at the airport, to commemorate the activities of all the workers."

Around 20,000 people in total worked for the Avro factory, or AV Roe, as the firm was named.

The majority of those who worked there were women.

The factory began by producing components for Avro Anson aircraft in 1940, and later the full aircraft.

It also built the gargantuan Lancaster bombers which flew long-distance bombing raids into German cities.

The Yeadon factory later built Lincoln bombers, and 150 Avro York transport aircraft.

The last ever Yeadon aircraft was completed on August 16 1946.

Mr Myers now hopes the commemoration will soon be put up for the former workers - all of whom are now elderly - to appreciate.

No-one at Leeds Bradford Airport was available for comment.