A lone Spitfire has been flying over Cumbria this weekend.

It was a sight that few could see without feeling a wave of nostalgic pride for the aircraft – and the young pilots who flew them, together shattering once and for all Hitler's invasion plans during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

The distinctive silver Spitfire had stayed overnight at Carlisle Airport before Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Pilot Mark Discombe performed at flypast at Kirkbride Airfield, which was staging an open day.

The airfield's operations manager John Plasket spoke of how at 12.32pm yesterday the pilot gave spectators a distinctive wing waggle as his Spitfire flew west at 500ft on its third and final flypast before veering south for RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

Among those who were there to see it was former Spitfire pilot Jimmy James, 94.

“Jimmy flew Spitfires years ago, and it's everything to him,” said Mr Plasket.

“I love the sound of them. It's so evocative. You can't mistake the sound of a Spitfire in the air.”

At Carlisle Airport, from where Mr Discombe had earlier set off, flight student Louise Johnston, 38, said she had been thrilled to see what is widely recognised as one of the most iconic airplans in aviation history.

“I love them,” she said.

“They're one of the reasons I decided to learn to fly. It's top of my list when it comes to the planes that I'd like one day to fly. It's fitting that this airport is a former RAF base.”