Aircraft bid farewell to county

The six old aircraft did a series of fly-pasts across major towns

Helicopters from a Cornish naval base took part in fly-past on Tuesday as the aircraft left the county for good.

The Sea Kings have long been a common sight over Cornwall and 820 Squadron and the six old aircraft did a series of fly-pasts across major towns in the county as their way of saying goodbye.

The last Sea King anti-submarine warfare helicopters will leave RNAS Culdrose to be replaced by the latest Merlin aircraft.

The Sea Kings last saw active service in the Gulf a few months ago.

It's not going to be quite the same

Lieutenant Rob Clarke, Pilot 820 Squadron

Sea King: Fact file

It has been the longest serving helicopter of its type.

"It's an old-fashioned type of aircraft so the pilot has to fly it," said Lieutenant Rob Clarke, Pilot 820 Squadron.

"The newer ones have got some automated systems which make it a little easier, so it's not going to be quite the same. "

In the Gulf they were used primarily to carry personnel and equipment to shore .

They have also been used for humanitarian work.

The Squadron was awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Peace for helping get aid through to flood victims in Mozambique.