Aerial photographs have revealed hidden First World War trenches dug to train soldiers heading over to the Continent.

The meandering ditches at Canterbury Golf Club have become much more visible due to the recent period of very dry weather.

The scorched ground has made the infills on a number of the course’s fairways more prominent.

Kent County Council’s archive portal details the history of the trenches.

It states: “These have been interpreted as practice trenches from the early part of the 20th century due to their similarity to trench systems employed in the First World War.

“It is likely they were used in training exercises for soldiers based at the Royal East Kent Regiment barracks on the nearby eastern edge of the city.

“The golf course itself was established in 1927, and the condition of the trenches may imply that the area was under cultivation for some time prior to this date.”

The soil type at the golf course is not dissimilar to that found in northern France, making it ideal for warfare training for those heading over to Europe.

Each of the third, fourth, fifth, seventh and ninth fairways play host to the meandering and zigzagging trenches.

“The trench systems cover an area of several hundred meters and are visible between the stands of trees on the fairways of the golf course.

“The western section visible consists of a firing line running north-south and facing east for 67 metres and branches of communication lines and running east-west. The eastern section visible is similar though more is visible, as it runs for a distance of over 100m.

“It is likely that similar traces of military activity extend across the entire site and may be better preserved in the wooded areas.”

The golf course’s website also states how the site is home to a Second World War reminder, with a bomb crater - now surrounded by willow trees - to the right of the sixth green. There is another crater in the woods between the seventh and ninth fairways.