A passenger jet has been pulled through the streets of Southampton after it was saved from being scrapped by Solent Sky museum. 

The front half of the BAC 1-11 jet was towed along Canute Road, Southampton yesterday morning as it made its way towards the museum. 

Traffic was briefly stopped as the aircraft was transported on the back of a lorry to its new home where it is set to be turned into a café.

The aircraft arrived at around 9am and was slowly reversed into place outside the museum. 

The plane was built at Hurn near Bournemouth in 1981 and used to be on display at Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre.

In 1991 it joined the Defence Research Agency and took part in radar trials at Boscombe Down, Farnborough, and Bedford before making its last flight on April 26, 2013.

READ MORE: Southampton: Café to open inside a 60ft passenger jet

It was in danger of being scrapped after the attraction at Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre closed in October last year. 

Daily Echo:

But instead it was bought by Solent Sky, which is planning to exhibit the front 60ft of the fuselage on the forecourt at its Albert Road South site.

The 60ft fuselage is now due to be modified to allow for wheelchair access in the cockpit with the café at the rear. 

The museum was closed on Saturday as the aircraft was backed into place despite earlier claims its arrival would be postponed.

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A 3.7inch anti-aircraft gun had to be removed in late-October in order to make room for the new attraction. 

A council report previously said the aircraft was too big to be displayed inside the museum building, adding that the wings and tail would have to be removed to enable it to be exhibited on the forecourt.

But the plans were granted permission with conditions to ensure the safe installation.

Solent Sky is home to more than 20 planes with exhibits including a 1943 Sandringham flying boat, a Supermarine Spitfire, and a Supermarine S6A that took part in the 1929 Schneider Trophy air race.