WHEELCHAIR users visiting Eden Camp near Malton will now find the museum more accessible, thanks to the Ryedale branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA).

Members of the RAFA group visited Eden Camp last week to present the museum with a new wheelchair.

Nick Hill, museum manager, said: “We have an excellent relationship with the Ryedale branch of the Royal Air Force Association.

“During the course of the year we host a number of special events which their members attend, including an annual Battle of Britain Memorial Service and luncheon in September.

“In recent years, some of their more senior members have become reliant on the use of a wheelchair to allow them to continue to take an active part in the events.

“While we have always had a number of wheelchairs available for visitors to use, a couple of them were showing signs of wear, so we were delighted when Ryedale RAFA kindly offered to donate a new chair to the museum.

“We are sure that it will be well used and very much appreciated by visitors in the future. As the largest museum of its kind in the world, we do recommend that visitors allow at least three to four hours to see everything. While visitors can take their time looking round the museum and can break off from their tour at any time to have a cuppa or take a breather, the complete tour does cover quite a distance, so the free loan and use of a wheelchair is always well received by some of our less mobile visitors.”

2018 is a significant year for RAFA and its members as it marks the centenary of the formation of the RAF on April 1, 1918.

Along with Ryedale RAFA, Eden Camp is planning to mark the centenary with a special RAF 100 event day later in the year.