PLANS to bring a Catalina flying boat back to Greenock have been given the go-ahead to take wing.

River bosses have given the scheme the thumbs-up and the vintage plane will now appear in the skies over Greenock on Sunday 18 September.

The flying boat is being brought to Greenock's Battery Park to commemorate the men and women who serviced the aircraft there during the Second World War.

Organisers, the Clyde Aviation Trust, said they were delighted the Catalina will be returning to Greenock after so many years.

Following a meeting to finalise plans with councillors and harbour officials on Tuesday, their spokesman Linton Dixon said: `We're delighted and relieved this event can now go ahead.

`The flying boat will make two trips, one with passengers, and another which will land on the water and hopefully come up the slipway at the park.

`Along with the boat there will be other events in the park and we can now get them finalised.` Catalina pilot Keith Sissons, and display director Rod Brooking, have already visited Battery Park to check out the landing area and are happy with the facilities.

Keith said: `We plan to land on the water opposite the park and bring the plane up the slipway.

`Some work needs to be done to clear of the slipway of rocks but that should only take a couple of hours.

`The Catalina is an amphibious plane so there should be no problem bringing her in.` Along with the Catalina's arrival, a search and rescue helicopter from HMS Gannet will make an appearance and there will also be a paintball range run by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' regiment, a coastguard caravan and a radio roadshow.

A buffet dance with music by the Capitol Big Band has also been organised for Saturday 17 September in the Town Hall.