HASLEMERE Prep School pupils were thrilled to attend the historic flypast at Goodwood to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, when 40 Spitfires and Hurricanes took to the skies over the South.

Better still, three uniformed pilots – George Brukert from Chicago, Lee Draper from London, and Captain Christian Bobka from Minneapolis – were on hand to answer all their questions.

School spokesman Annabel Williams said: “The boys quickly realised that despite it being called the Battle of Britain, there were pilots from many other countries around the world fighting, such as Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Canada, Caribbean and Poland and South Africa.

“The grouping, the biggest in one place since the war, took off from Goodwood Aerodrome then flew to airfields linked to the battle. Prince Harry was due to take part, but gave up his seat for a veteran when one of the Spitfires was grounded.”