THOUSANDS turned out to watch fighter jets take to the sky at a community event.

Crowds gathered at North Weald Airfield to watch the display, with war veterans from Norway flying some of the aircraft.

The veterans, who were based at the airfield during the Second World War, came from Norway to celebrate a bonding created between North Weald and their town in Bodo.

North Weald Museum Vice President Arthur Moreton said: “They flew the jet fighters over from Norway to come and visit. They were here for two and a half years during the war and made it their home. They didn't think they would go back because their own country had been invaded.

"The mayor of Bodo and members of the youth council also came along and the event culminated with the community fly over day which was attended by 3,000 people. It was a great success.”

Mr Moreton visited Norway last year to set up the link between North Weald and Bodo.

He added: “We wanted to bring together the old and the young and it has been a great success. The majority of the people who came to the event were local and they were able to see their airfield and what goes on. It was great.”