PLANE spotters and keen photographers will be able to gaze upon the RAF Tornado jets as they perform a three-day series of “finale flypasts” to mark their retirement from service.

The aircraft are set to fly three days this week, and today (Wednesday, February 20) they will take to the skies above Andover.

On the day the jets will flypast the Army Headquarters in the town and will also fly-by RAF Boscombe Down, in Amesbury.

The flypast will take place between 1.30pm to 1.45pm over RAF Benson - HQ Land Forces, Andover and then onto MOD Boscombe Down.

On the day the jets will flypast the Army Headquarters in the town and will also fly-by RAF Boscombe Down, in Amesbury.

Station Commander Group Captain Ian "Cab" Townsend wrote on Twitter that the flypasts, with up to three jets, would be a "superb celebration of Tornado and those who have supported her across the country".

He earlier said routes were chosen to commemorate places that have contributed to Tornado over the years.

There will also be a nine-ship formation flight from RAF Marham on February 28, he said.

The Tornado, in service since 1979 and first used in combat during the first Gulf War, will leave service before the end of March.

Eight Tornadoes, which were stationed at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and used in the fight against Islamic State, returned home to RAF Marham earlier this month.

The role of the Tornadoes will be taken over by Typhoons, with new weapons systems.