Vulcan may offer flying adverts

The estimated annual running costs for the Vulcan are about £1.6m

A Vulcan bomber restored with the help of donations could become a flying advert to raise more cash.

The Cold War bomber had its first flight in 14 years from the Bruntingthorpe airfield in Leicestershire last October.

The restoration of the Vulcan by a team of engineers cost more than £6m.

The Vulcan to the Sky Group is hoping to sell advertising space on the exterior shell of the plane to raise much-needed funds.

Middle East

The estimated annual running costs for the Vulcan are about £1.6m.

Robert Pleming, chief executive of the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, said : "We continue to seek major donations not only of cash but of support-in-kind, from many different types of companies, groups and individuals."

He said the trust is looking for sponsorship in the Middle East, but has not had any firm offers of support yet.

The restored plane had a 33-year career in the RAF, including service in the Falklands War.

Some 20,000 people worldwide helped raise the £6.5m needed to restore the Cold War bomber.