HUNDREDS of visitors paid their respects at a Remembrance Sunday service at a historic war-time aerodrome.

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome saw more than 350 people gather together for its Remembrance Sunday parade.

Civic and military dignitaries, along with descendants of the airfield's Great War pilots, took part in a service with Reverend Peter Nicholson.

Maldon MP John Whittingdale and Maldon District Council chairman Bob Boyce were among the guests in attendance.

After the laying of the wreaths, the chair of the board of trustees of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Trust, Air Commodore Barry Dickens, read the Kohima Epitaph.

Deputy Lieutenant of Essex John Griffith Jones took the salute during the march past.

The also parade paid respect to the members of the Blind Veterans UK present.

The aerodrome boasts Europe’s largest collection of Royal Flying Corps First World War buildings which were not adapted for further military use.

The aerodrome opened in 1916 and played a key role in defending the capital in the first London blitz the following year.

The site saw the birth of the air defence of Great Britain in response to raids on London and the South East.

Aerodrome CEO Ian Flint said: “Remembrance is always a poignant time at Stow Maries and this year is no different.

“The uniformed youth groups performed wonderfully in what is actually quite a technical parade.

“I congratulate them for their hard work.

“It was also a great privilege to have descendants of pilots that flew from RFC Stow Maries on parade this year.”