Kent residents have been used to seeing Spitfires fly overhead for decades but this month one will stage an unprecedented flypast.

The Spitfire will fly from Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar for Red Nose Day on Friday, March 15 - sporting a red nose.

The MJ627, which was built in 1943 and destroyed a Messerschmitt over Arnhem the following year, has been made up for the day specially, though organisers have stressed it will return to its normal colour afterwards.

A spokesman for the Heritage Hangar said: "We are celebrating in a way never seen before. On Red Nose Day, look up into the sky and you will see a red nose Spitfire specially painted for this worthwhile occasion."

The event, which is weather dependent, is sponsored by Flyaspitfire.com, which is also planning to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D Day in June by flying a Spitfire over the Normandy beaches.