The sky above a unique aerodrome filled with the sights and sounds of vintage aircraft from a century ago.

The wartime atmosphere was recreated at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, as First World War aircraft, including a Sopwith Snipe, BE2e and Albatros planes, flew across the skies over the weekend.

Heritage talks and guided tours of the aerodrome, in Hackmans Lane, Purleigh, brought memories of a bygone era back to life, accompanied by original aircraft from the World War One Aviation Heritage Trust, which looks after Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson’s planes.

The three planes he owns, which are at Stow Maries are an Albatros, Sopwith Snipe and BE2e.

Aerodrome operations manager Russell Savory said: “They are all correct in every single detail, they have the original engines and everything, they are beautiful pieces of kit.”

By 2018 the base hopes to have its own squadron of aircraft, engineers, apprenticeships and a year round programme of visits.