Local residents were delighted to see the last flying Vulcan bomber take to the skies above Wilmslow and Alderley Edge this afternoon before it retires later this month.
The iconic Cold War jet took off from Doncaster at 1pm on the northern route of its Farewell Tour and having flown up to Dalkeith in Scotland the Vulcan XH558 flew over the outskirts of Manchester Airport just after 3pm.
It could be seen above Wilmslow and Alderley Edge soon afterwards as it headed to Woodford, where the bomber was made, and then again as it travelled on to RAF Cosford.
Today's flight was amongst the longest ever undertaken by XH558 following the end of her RAF Service in 1984, keeping her in the air for three and a half hours to give as many people as possible a chance to see her.
Spectators took to Twitter and Facebook to share their photos and delight at seeing the bomber fly overhead before she is grounded in a couple of weeks time.
Geoffrey Davies-Palin said "The beautiful Vulcan bomber has just flown over my house at about 400 feet goosebumps from head to toe. Amazing sight and sound."
B&O of Wilmslow tweeted "#vulcanbomber just flown straight over Wilmslow parallel with Alderley Road - thrilling sight."
Ian Mclellan, tweeted "@XH558 you were just beautiful from Woodford Aerodrome a fitting farewell."
Melanie Connor tweeted "Flew over our village. It was fantastic. So proud."
Heather Thomas tweeted "@XH558 AMAZING. Right over our heads in alderley edge. Thank you!"
Tomorrow she will tour over the south of the country before she takes to the skies for her final flight in mid-late October, details of which are yet to be confirmed.
Photos. 1-4. Taken by Lee Calver from Manchester Airport. 5. Taken from Woodford Aerodrome by Ian Mclellan. 6. Heading over Alderley Edge Cricket Club, credit Manchester Military History Society. 7 & 8. Vulcan XH558 flies over Chorley Hall Lane playing field in Alderley Edge taken by Lara Willet. 9.Taken from Mill Lane, between Poynton and Woodford, by Peter Wright.
