A Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster bomber will fly over Kemble airfield on September 19 and 20 as part of the Battle of Britain Airshow.

The Royal Air Force’s memorial flight will all be taking part in Kemble’s annual commemoration of the Battle of Britain.

The event celebrates the greatest air battle of the war and the exploits of The Few in 1940.

In dog fights over southern skies, a few hundred Spitfires and Hurricanes, flown by courageous young men, many still in their teens, confronted the might of the German Luftwaffe. They were all that protected Britain from invasion by Hitler’s armies.

Later in the war, the four-engined Lancaster was the most successful of the three big bombers which attacked Germany.

The Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane were all powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, giving them an evocative and unmistakable sound.

The short afternoon flying display also features an RAF Hawk trainer, as flown by the Red Arrows, a 1960s Jet Provost training aircraft and a Russian Antonov An-2, the world’s largest flying biplane.

Organiser Glen Moreman said: “We are aiming to give people a pleasant and relaxing day out.

“Alongside the flying display, we will have plenty going on, including hot-air balloons and pleasure flights.

“We also want to give people the chance to learn more about what goes on at Kemble, the Cotswolds' Airport.”

Gates open at 9am and advance tickets are now on sale, priced at £10 (£15 on the gate). Entry for under 16s is free.

Phone (08712) 301079, visit www.battleofbritainair show.com or call at local tourist information centres in Malmesbury and Chippenham for details.