HUGE crowds, including the young as well as the elerly, enjoyed the sights and sounds of this year’s Biggin Hill Battle of Britain Air Show.

Fighter jets and vintage propeller planes brightened up the grey skies with spectacular flying displays and there were plenty more activities on the ground to keep visitors entertained.

Among the highlights of the show was the opening by Sir John Mills and record-breaking pilot Polly Vacher, from Oxfordshire, who flew single-handedly round the world to raise money for the charity Flying for the Disabled, which helps disabled people learn to fly.

The airfield also resounded to the roar of 11 Merlin engines during a re-enactment scramble of RAF wartime aircraft including nine Spitfires and two Hurricanes.

The elite Red Arrows returned to Biggin Hill for their 40th season and exchanged gifts with the man responsible for bringing the team back to the airfield year after year, retired Squadron Leader, Jock Maitland.

Other famous faces at the airshow included Lord Norman Tebbit, chairman of a fund-raising committee for a Battle of Britain Monument in central London, and Dad’s Army look-alikes.

There were daring antics from the wing walkers of the Utterly Butterly Display Team while on the ground more than 100 different types of aircraft, vintage cars and a funfair kept visitors entertained.

Simon Ames, flying display director, said more than 50,000 visitors attended on the two days.