HUNDREDS of people lined the streets to pay homage to the Royal Air Force as servicemen and women exercised their right to march through High Wycombe.

Scores of RAF personnel were inspected by the Mayor of High Wycombe Cllr Khalil Ahmed outside All Saints Parish Church at 10am today.

Following a short service, the troops carried out the Freedom Parade past the gathered crowds to the High Street for the general salute.

The crowds were also treated to a surprise flypast by a Hurricane, which replaced a cancelled manoeuvre by a Lancaster Bomber after it became caught up in services held in Normandy to mark the anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Mayor Ahmed said: “It was a wonderful experience. The Group Commander had a word in my ear a few minutes before to say an aircraft would be flying over after all – that was brilliant and I think the crowds appreciated it too.

“It was a great chance for the residents and town of High Wycombe to show our appreciation of what the RAF does for our country and for our town.

“The Freedom Parade signifies the relationship between the RAF and High Wycombe.”

The Town Clerk Bill Reid thanked RAF High Wycombe, based at Naphill, for arranging the Hurricane flypast at the last minute.

He said: “It was a wonderful surprise after the Bomber was cancelled.”

RAF High Wycombe was granted the freedom of the town in 1971 and traditionally exercises its right to march every four years.

Click here to view a gallery from the event.