EAGLE-eyed aircraft spotters saw two Apache attack helicopters making a stop at Bournemouth Airport today.

The pair of loud aircraft swooped low over the airfield before landing. A spokesman for the airport said they were being refuelled.

“We aren’t sure how long they will remain at the airport, it depends on how long the refuelling takes, but it could be overnight,” the spokesman said.

“It is unknown why the military aircraft were in the area at the time.

In March another Apache helicopter was spotted passing over Bournemouth beach by holiday makers, engaged on what the Army described as a routine training operation.

Apache helicopters are built by Boeing in the US, and built under licence in the UK by AugstaWestland in Yeovil. They were used to support troops in Afghanistan and Libya.

As yet they have not made an appearance at the Bournemouth Air Festival.

Back in January fighter jets were scrambled after a Russian bomber was reported in the Channel south of Bournemouth.

United States Air Force F15 Eagle jets and British Typhoons escorted the aircraft out of Britain’s “area of interest”, although it had not entered British airspace.

The world's longest Boeing 747 was also seen taking off from Bournemouth Airport today. 

The plane - now based at Bournemouth - belongs to the Qatar Amiri Flight, which is the VIP airline owned and operated by the Government of Qatar and caters for the nation’s royal family and other VIP government staff.