THE last airworthy Vulcan V bomber met its namesake from Aston Martin in a special event to mark the aircraft's final flights.

Vulcan XH558 has now finished its long flying career marking the end of an era which began in 1956.

Ahead of its final flight the famous Cold War long range bomber was paired with the Aston Martin Vulcan - the new track-only supercar - at a special fly-past at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire.

The British luxury car maker describes the Vulcan as its most intense and exhilarating creation to date. It is made entirely from carbon fibre and its 7.0-litre V12 engine develops more than 800bhp.

Only 24 examples of the supercar will be made and each carry an incredible £2million price tag.

Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin chief executive, said: "Clearly the Avro Vulcan provided the inspiration for the naming of our most extreme sports car, and I'm delighted that we have been able to unite the ‘two Vulcans' and deliver our own tribute to this world-renowned aeronautical phenomenon."

Vulcan pilot Martin Withers DFC, said: "Being at the controls for this unique fly-past was a memorable occasion.

"Personally, it is great to know that the Vulcan name will live on not only in the history books, and at the new educational centre in Yorkshire, but via Aston Martin's incredible new sports car."

The aircraft, which is operated by the Vulcan To The Sky Trust, is based at Robin Hood Airport - the former RAF Finningley V bomber station - near Doncaster.

After reaching the end of its flying life the Vulcan - which cost £19,000 an hour to fly - is to become a feature of a new engineering visitor centre at the airport and from time to time will be run up to make taxiing demonstrations on the ground.

The first Vulcan was first delivered to the RAF 59 years ago and last saw combat in the Falkland's War in 1982.