A BOURNE- MOUTH MP is campaigning for a statue to commemorate the life of Charles Rolls, co-founder of Rolls-Royce.

Mr Rolls was the first British man to be killed in an air crash after taking off from Bournemouth on July 12 1910.

Charles Stuart Rolls, 33, a keen pioneer aviator as well as a partner in the Rolls-Royce motor firm, was taking part in three days of air displays.

Disaster struck after his Short-Wright biplane, which had risen to 100ft, started to break up in the air.

Tobias Ellwood Bournemouth East MP is in talks with the luxury car manufacturer and Bournemouth Borough Council about putting up a statue probably in 2010.

Graham Biggs from Rolls-Royce said that the car manufacturer would welcome a statue to commemorate the life of Charles Rolls.

He said: "He was a young adventurer of his time and his name lives on with the cars.

"It was his panache and flair for sales that contributed to the success of the motor firm in the early days.

"He loved cars, excitement and speed and before he got into fixed wing planes was a keen balloonist.

"He was the first Brit to fly across the Channel and it was partly his passion for engineering that led our parent company towards that side of the application of engines."

Mr Rolls's death overshadowed three days of air displays which took place at Bournemouth's aerodrome to mark the town's centenary.

The night before his death, he had dined with Lady Abdy, who ran the all-British aviation scheme.

"I will fly with you this week, but not in competition," he told her. "Competition entails a certain amount of danger... There are more ways of flying than dying."

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