CHELSFIELD Village Fair got off to a flying start when Second World War aeroplanes flew past to mark the Battle of Britain.

More than 1,000 revellers turned up to the summer event, in Bucks Cross Road, raising more than £3,500 to renovate the cricket pavilion and for the Orpington branch of MacMillan Nurses cancer care.

Three Battle of Britain planes, a Lancaster bomber, a Hurricane and a Spitfire, flew three times over the fair on their way back from Belgium to their base in Lincoln.

Highlights included clog dancers from Maidstone, inflatable sumo wrestling and a radio-controlled cars' demonstration.

There was also a Punch and Judy show from Bromley Council's environmental services to show children what household objects could be recycled.

Chairman of the Chelsfield Village Society Janet Binns said: "The memorial flight had a huge impact for those who remember the war but others also found it emotional."

July 18, 2002 12:00