Premier Gordon Brown is backing a regional newspaper’s campaign to create a landmark monument to the people who built the World War Two Spitfire fighter planes.

The Southampton-based Southern Daily Echo has spearheaded the initiative to build the memorial at a prominent “gateway” into the city where the planes were built in the 1930s.

Mr Brown gave the campaign his backing at a Downing Street reception for supporters of the project held on the 70th anniversary of the day the first of the planes was delivered to the RAF.

The Prime Minister also launched an international fundraising drive for the £1.5m scheme which is being overseen by the Spitfire Tribute Foundation.

Mr Brown said: “Everybody that is contributing to this memorial is contributing to something that is great about Britain. Southampton should be really proud and I want to thank the Southern Daily Echo for their support for this campaign.

“People of Southampton and elsewhere who contributed to the war effort deserve our greatest praise and congratulation. It’s the bravery of these people that will be remembered with this memorial to the Spitfire.”

Daily Echo editor Ian Murray said: “The Daily Echo has been fully behind the idea of a substantial, permanent memorial to the Spitfire and all those people in Southampton associated with it and it is marvellous to have the support of the Prime Minister.

“No one is under any illusion that we have a long way to go if this dream is to become a reality, but this is a substantial beginning.”

Southampton city councillor John Hannides, chairman of the Spitfire Tribute Foundation, thanked the PM and said the invitation to Number 10 had elevated the project to the international stage.

“We are very grateful to the Prime Minister for the honour he has bestowed upon the members of the foundation. My thanks also to the Daily Echo which has shown great leadership in the campaign,” he said.