A SECOND World War aircraft and steam locomotives thrilled spectators at the Purbeck at War event in Swanage at the weekend.

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The event, organised by volunteers from Swanage Railway to mark Armed Forces Day, saw a Hurricane fighter plane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight stage a flypast over Stoborough, Corfe Castle and Swanage.

Visitors were also invited to explore the main line express 'Battle of Britain' class steam locomotive 'Manston', and browse a variety of photographic exhibitions at Purbeck stations exploring the area's links with the Forces.

Swanage Railway general manager Matt Green said: "It has been a lovely little event and we are very pleased to be able to do something to show our support for the Armed Forces past and present.

"Unfortunately the Dakota transport plane we were due to see couldn't make it due to an engineering problem, but they sent a Hurricane instead and with the fantastic weather on Saturday we got a great view.

"We had quite a bit of competition for passengers this weekend, particularly with the tank festival in Bovington, so I am very pleased with how well it has gone. A lot of people worked hard to organise it."

The 'Manston', which was built during the war, was named after a Kent airfield that played an important part in the Battle of Britain, and it was accompanied at the weekend by the award-winning Ramsgate and Manston Squadron Royal Air Force Air Training Corps band.

Locomotive lovers got a chance to see the class T9 30120 'Greyhound', which was based in Purbeck during the war and was actually shot at while at Wool station.

Also on display was a 45-tonne steam-powered crane, which was used across the south of England to repair bomb damage to rail tracks and signalling equipment.

Armed Forces personnel were invited to enjoy free train travel over the weekend.

There was also a photographic exhibition covering Swanage Railway's association with the Blandford-based Royal Corps of Signals, personnel from which have assisted the charity with its infrastructure for more than three decades.

Archive material was also on display at several stations illustrating the railway's wartime links with the Armed Forces, while at Harman's Cross an acclaimed model of a 1940s military railway was displayed by volunteer signalman and modeller Mike Walshaw.