Villagers battling to save North Weald airfield are gathering ammunition for the dogfights that lie ahead.

A group of parish councillors visited two former Battle of Britain bases in Kent at the weekend to check how they have developed since the end of the war.

Their fact-finding trip came as Epping Forest District Council prepares to consult local people on the future of the 384 acre site, which it has owned since 1980.

A group of eight councillors toured the former RAF West Malling and Biggin Hill, both similar to North Weald in that they are close to motorways and other main roads.

North Weald Airfield Museum chairman Cllr Arthur Moreton, who has been connected with the site for 40 years, said: "It was a very good visit and it was useful for us to see what changes had been made there.

"Our job is to get as much information as we can so that we can make a valid contribution to the consultation."

The contrast between the two Kent airfields is very marked.

Biggin Hill was also taken over by the local authority and, following considerable investment, is being run by a company as a leisure airfield, which also has daily executive jet flights. It employs about 1,500

West Malling, now known as Kings Hill, is closed to air traffic and has been turned into a large, high profile business area with adjacent houses which will continue to develop in the years ahead.

Cllr Moreton, also a member of Epping Forest's working party on the future of North Weald added: "Biggin Hill is an example of what, ultimately, our airfield could be.

"But we need to be flexible and review all the options."

Parish councillors now intend to consult widely with North Weald aviation tenants, all of whom have been granted long leases. The possibility of increased opening hours and the installation of runway lights is almost certain to be considered.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.