A heritage centre dedicated to the memory of those who served at the 12 New Forest airfields in World War Two has launched its summer openings.

The Friends of the New Forest Airfields (FONFA) was started in the 1990s by a group of local aviation enthusiasts, veterans, authors and historians.

The centre in Mosquito Way, Bransgore, is run entirely by volunteers and is open every Sunday in July and August.

As well as the museum, the charity looks after the airfields distinctive 'propeller' memorial at nearby Holmsley.

The airfields were crucial during the D-Day period in June 1944, and later, in bringing home thousands of prisoners of war and service personnel.

They were involved in every aspect of air warfare from research and development, training, defensive and offensive missions, reconnaissance, and supporting the operations of secret agents and resistance organisations in Occupied Europe.

Chairman of FONFA, Dr Henry Goodall said: "We keep the memory alive because it's important to remember the sacrifices made and the many local men and women worked to keep the 12 airfields operating."

He added: "We are especially keen on making sure the younger generations know what happened all those decades ago and the part their grandparents and great grandparents' generation played. The stories we tell, they still resonate."

The airfields included Stoney Cross, Holmsley, Winkton, East Boldre, Hurn, Needs Oar Point and Ibsley.

For more see https://fonfasite.wordpress.com/