A SPITFIRE fighter will fly over a New Forest village hall later this month, as part of a memorial event honouring pilots who flew from a nearby airfield during World War II.

The flypast by the iconic aircraft will take place over Ibsley Village Hall on August 30, as part of the 'Sgt Ray Dean and the Pilots of Ibsley Day'.

Sgt Ray Dean was a 19-year-old who left for France in his Spitfire and was shot down south of Cherbourg.

His nephew, Ray Dean, who was named after him decided to remember the brave pilots by organising this event to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.

Ray said: "My uncle was a local lad and worked in the bicycle shop in Ringwood.

“He was trained as a pilot in the war and in 1941 flew from Ibsley on a rhubarb mission, a term used to describe flying in low cloud and seeking targets on the ground to destroy.

“But he was shot down and died at the age of just 19. I was named after him and we wanted to remember him and his fellow Ibsley pilots.

“We have managed to get a Spitfire flypast and there is a variety of other attractions which will be of interest to everyone.”

The same day as the flypast, the village hall, which is situated between Ringwood and Fordingbridge, will host a screening of ‘Secret Spitfires’ – a documentary recounting how the planes were built in secret in Salisbury.

There will also be a replica Spitfire on display, a military vehicle display, a model exhibition, live music and a BBQ and licensed bar.

The interest in the subject has been shared on the ‘Sergeant Ray Dean and the pilots of Ibsley’ group on Facebook.

The London Tavern in Poulner, where Sgt Dean and his fellow flyers used to drink, is also involved.

There are two types of tickets available, one that includes the film that will be shown at 12.30pm and the other for everything else which starts at 2:45pm.

Tickets including the film cost £17.50 and tickets for everything else cost just £10.50.

All prices includes BBQ, and tickets are available from the London Tavern, Bransgore County Market or by calling 07905 994644.