PM petitioned over Vulcan funding

The Vulcan is currently grounded in Hampshire due to faulty brakes

The team behind the world's only flying Vulcan bomber has petitioned the prime minister to ensure funding to keep it in the sky.

Last year the Cold War aircraft flew for the first time since a 15-year, £7m restoration project in Leicestershire.

But the team has faced continued funding, weather and technical problems and must raise £135,000 per month to cover the aircraft's operating costs.

The Vulcan to the Sky petition has been posted on the Downing Street website.

Restoration fund

The team said the downturn in the economy has put the future of the Vulcan XH558 in doubt.

"With tightening budgets, companies that previously may have been willing to support XH558 now find they do not have the finances to do so.

"This unique plane must be saved in its current airworthy state for the nation.

"We petition the prime minister to step in to ensure XH558 receives sufficient funding to continue flying."

Saturday saw the anniversary of its first flight following restoration.

The Vulcan was due to be flown to its home in Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire last weekend but is stuck in Farnborough, Hampshire because of faulty brakes.

It was based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire when it was operational.

Some 20,000 people have contributed to the restoration fund for the bomber.