THE story of a top secret airfield on historic parkland is being kept alive with walks which will open a window on our wartime past.

Visitors can follow in the footsteps of Second World War personnel in National Trust parkland during the RAF walks at Croome, near Worcester.

Nick Hubble, National Trust volunteer and chairman of the Defford Airfield Heritage Group (DAHG), said: "Walking the park helps bring to life a short, but extremely important, phase in the history of the estate.

"RAF Defford and the top secret radar work carried out here is of national significance and it is a great privilege to be able to share this fascinating story with our visitors.”

During the Second World War and the Cold War years, Defford airfield was one of the most secret places in the country.

It was here that war-winning airborne radar was developed, tested and flown by the RAF, Fleet Air Arm and the US Air Forces.

In 1941 ‘Capability’ Brown's landscape was requisitioned by the Government for the building of a large military airfield.

It provided accommodation for over 2,200 service personnel and scientists and was home to 130 aircraft of 25 different types.

After closure in 1958, the hangers and most of the other buildings were sold, later to be demolished for salvage of materials.

With only a few of the original buildings remaining and these used as Croome’s Visitor Centre, the story may have faded into the past but for the efforts of a team of enthusiastic volunteers ensuring that the extraordinary story is not forgotten.

Starting at the RAF Museum, which also houses a Canberra aircraft cockpit section, the two mile walk takes approximately one and a half hours.

Visitors can hear stories of the people who worked at Defford and how their lives were changed by wartime events.

The route continues past a Wellington bomber crash site to the south east corner of the park.

The RAF Defford walks take place on Sunday, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3 and October 1 starting at 11.30am. The walk is free although normal admission applies to the parkland.

For more information call 01905 371006 or visit the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croome