TWO Hampshire business heavyweights have vowed to help make ambitious plans for a tribute to the Spitfire become reality.

Construction magnate Patrick Trant and property developer Peter Harding say the towering structure will be Southampton's answer to the Angel of the North.

The businessmen were unveiled as inaugural ambassadors of the Spitfire Tribute Foundation by Councillor John Hannides at Solent Sky Museum.

Backing plans for a 100ft steel Spitfire standing on its tail, Mr Trant, of Trant Construction, said it would be the city's defining icon.

"We're setting our sights higher than the Angel of the North," he said. "We need something that imposes itself on Southampton, I think this design does that.

"You will be able to see it from a fair distance and whether it's a plane taking off or standing upright I think it will be very appropriate."

Mr Harding, who owns property across the city, said the massive structure would give the city its elusive "wow" factor.

"Southampton is in dire need of something to publicise the city to the rest of the UK," he said. "People look at Southampton as a sleepy city, as somewhere that has nothing great to shout about.

"So this is one of the few things that as a city we can really start shouting out about.

"We've got to set our sights as high as we can. Clearly the objective is to have a monument that we can be proud of."

Momentum is building behind the Daily Echo's campaign for a tribute to the great Second World War aircraft, with the council holding talks with several designers about their vision for a monument.

While the possible locations are being kept secret for now, the self-made businessmen agreed it must be on a site that could be seen by millions each year.

Southampton Council has already pledged £70,000 for a feasibility study, while the estimated £1m cost of construction would come from fundraising.

Cllr Hannides, who has led the campaign, said: "Bringing in Peter and Patrick as ambassadors is going to elevate the project for us and give us the momentum we are looking for.

"I hope that this is just the start of the foundation attracting greater interest from the business community."