The skies over Abingdon will be busy on Sunday when the third annual AB FAIR 02 takes off at Dalton Barracks airfield.

Forty propeller aircraft from museums and private collections around the country will fly in to take part in what is becoming one of the biggest aeronautical attractions in Oxfordshire.

The centrepiece will be two flying legends from the Second World War -- a Spitfire and a Hurricane.

Today's Air Force will be represented by a Puma and a Merlin helicopter that will make the short journey from RAF Benson. For visitors more interested in land-based transport, there will be an exhibition of 70 vintage lorries, buses, vans and cars and a range of steam traction engines. Neil Porter, co-ordinator of the show, who works on ground maintenance at RAF Benson, said: "Last year the event attracted more than 2,500 people on a miserable wet day.

The forecast for this Sunday is better and, given good luck, I expect we will double last year's attendance. The event becomes more popular each year."

Seven companies have sponsored the event -- the aim of which is to raise money for the new £4m Douglas House respite care centre in Oxford for 16 to 40 year-olds suffering serious illnesses.

Mr Porter said: "Last year we sent more than £1,200 to the Douglas House campaign. This year we hope to double that."