CROWDS have flocked to an increasingly rare opportunity for the public to meet and talk with veterans of the Second World War’s Battle of Britain.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the battle this year, Ruxley Manor Garden Centre in Maidstone Road, Sidcup, joined forces with Shoreham Aircraft Museum, to stage a 1940s event.

Setting the scene were a Mark 9 Spitfire lent by owner Terry Arlow, wartime jeeps and other vehicles with costumed re-enactors, together with air cadets, aviation prints and museum memorabilia and classic cars displayed by members of the Detonators Car Club.

In addition, Special Operations executive Harry Verlander, Sergeant Jack Hodges, Flight Lieutenant Rodney Scrasse, Warrant Officer Harold Bennett, Flight Lieutenant Ron Pottinger, Flight Lieutenant Tony Iveson and Wing Commander Peter Hill, all now in their 90s were there to sign memorabilia and talk about their experiences.

The event was also a fundraiser for the museum’s war memorials project.

Lisa Bottomley from the garden centre said: “We really do owe a special thanks to Geoff Nutkins at Shoreham Aircraft Museum for helping us make the day possible.

“Our aim was to raise funds for the museum’s memorials project and with the help of the veteran pilots, we are hoping to have met the cost of a further memorial stone.

“It was wonderful to see so many customers here supporting the appeal and giving the pilots the reception they so rightly deserve. “Mr Nutkins said the day had raised more than £2,600, enough to find the museum’s seventh memorial which it hopes to place in Kemsing.