A unique project to commemorate two Pembrokeshire aviation pioneers has been launched.

Pupils at Brynconin School in Llandissillo, along with members of the Clunderwen Historical Society, aim to build a replica of a plane first flown by Howard and Herbert James in 1913.

They hope to raise enough funds to build the plane by 2013 - the centenary of the brothers' first flight.

Clr. Huw George, cabinet member for children and young people, who is backing the project, said it was a wonderful initiative.

"These two brothers were pioneers of their time and an inspiration to all to aim high," he said.

"Rebuilding the plane will not only mark the historic anniversary of their first flight but also, hopefully, inspire today's youngsters to learn about the past and aim high themselves."

Howard and Herbert James were born in Narberth and are famous for flying one of the first aeroplanes in Wales.

Although their maiden flight from a field near Clunderwen in September 2013 was unsuccessful and the plane only reached 60-feet, the brothers were undeterred and rebuilt it.

They took off again in November to more success before crashing into a hedge.

A flight in April 1914 was more successful and they reached Carmarthen.

They had hoped to set up an aeroplane factory in Narberth but the First World War put an end to that dream. The brothers later moved to Hendon, where they both became test pilots with Herbert unofficially breaking the world speed record in 1921.

To mark the launch of the project members of Pembrokeshire Prospectors Society joined pupils for a hunt for any remains of the original plane in fields near Clunderwen.