Concorde's demise is blamed on poor passenger figures

Yorkshire Air Museum, in Elvington, North Yorkshire, has made a submission to British Airways to acquire one of the luxurious aircraft.

British Airways and Air France are taking the supersonic aircraft out of service at the end of October and May respectively.

Both companies blame poor passenger figures and the rising cost of maintenance.

Long runway

Museum spokesman Ian Richardson said: "It's very early days but we have made representations to British Airways for one of the craft.

"Concorde is an outstanding example of British aviation history.

"It would be a fitting tribute to have one on display at the museum."

British Airways has made no indication of how it will dispose of the magnificent flying machines, which took to the skies in 1969.

But the Yorkshire Air Museum does have a runway long enough to accommodate the aircraft.

Concorde was a regular visitor to Leeds/Bradford airport, with its first flight to the region in August 1986 attracting huge crowds.