TWO survivors of the Great Escape, immortalised in the war film of the same name, are to be star guests of next year's Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.

Former Sqdn Ldr Jimmy James from Shropshire and former Sqdn Ldr Dick Churchill from Devon are among only seven living survivors of the escape from Stalag Luft III in eastern Germany.

Of the 76 Allied prisoners of war who escaped by tunnel on the night of March 24/25, 1944, only three made it to safety.

The remainder, including the two squadron leaders, were captured, and 23 were returned to camps while the remaining 50 were shot by the Gestapo on the orders of Adolf Hitler.

The exploits of the men were immortalised in the 1963 film whose stars included Richard Attenborough, Steve McQueen, James Garner and Donald Pleasance.

RIAT spokesman Richard Arquati said: "We are truly honoured to have these two Great Escape veterans join us at next year's Royal International Air Tattoo.

"Their exploits are not only part of history, but part of legend."

Dick Churchill flew 27 operations in Hampden aircraft with Bomber Command before being captured.

Jimmy James flew Wellington bombers and is understood to have been one of the real life characters who inspired Steve McQueen's character in the film, Captain Virgil 'Cooler King' Hilts.

At the tattoo, they will be invited to view a special exhibition of artefacts from the escape and talk to visitors about their experiences.

RIAT 2004 will run from Friday to Sunday, July 16-18, with the first day being designated Youth Day and given over to visitors from schools, colleges and other young people's groups.

Other attractions announced by the organisers so far include a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of D-Day and the centenary of the Anglo-French Entente Cordiale military agreement.

One of the largest peacetime gatherings of Hercules aircraft will also be assembled, marking the 50th anniversary of the first models rolling off the production line.

The tattoo will also be the host for Defence 04, a series of exhibitions and demonstrations illustrating the scope of UK defence capability.

The Defence events replace the Royal Tournament, and the following year's will be hosted by the Royal Navy, marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

This year's RIAT was one of the most enthusiastically-received ever.

About 200,000 people gathered at RAF Fairford to see aircraft including a replica Wright Flyer, a Boeing 747, a Eurofighter Typhoon and a B2 Spirit stealth bomber.

Barrie Hudson