THE year was 1940 and while families were digging for victory, the people of Darwen, began a collection to buy a Spitfire.

The Mayor, Coun John Gregory officially launched the fund in October and a gift of 5,000 shillings from the firm R W Holden, gave him the idea of inviting workers to pledge an odd shilling out of their wages.

The cause quickly caught townsfolks' imagination - jars of jam and confectionery were sold, jumble sales held and less then four months later the mayor was writing to Lord Beaverbrook, wartime Minister of Aircraft Production, enclosing a cheque for £5,707.

Spitfire VR7219 'Borough of Darwen' was received by the RAF in March, 1941 and initially allotted to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill.

After an air test it was one of four detailed to successfully destroy a seaplane being towed back to France by the enemy.

On May 27 it was shot up in battle over France, but the pilot managed to bring his aircraft home and it suffered the same fate while protecting bombers on June 16.

On July 14, 1941, however, it was reported missing from a bomber escort operation to German marshalling yards - Darwen's own plane had lasted four months, about the same time it had taken Darreners to raise the money for its purchase. Pic courtesy Darwen Days.