A fighter plane that helped turn the tide for Britain in the First World War will be the star turn at an aviation festival.

WWI fighter the Sopwith Camel biplane, appearing in the borough for the first time since 1918, will be among the famous fighter planes featured at The Kingston Aviation Festival in June.

The festival, funded by a £50,000 grant from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), aims to put the borough’s illustrious aviation history on the map.

The aviation industry was the largest employer in Kingston throughout most of last century, with a workforce often exceeding 3,500 men and women.

According to festival organisers the Hawker Association, many of Britain’s most famous fighter aircraft started life on the drawing boards and factories of Kingston upon Thames.

The group is made up of aviation enthusiast and former employers of the Kingston based Hawker Factor, which closed in 1992.

Project leaders Bill Downey said: “We are thrilled to have the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

“It gives us the opportunity to share this amazing history with the people of Kingston and especially the young people who might be inspired by what their predecessors were able to achieve through vision, hard work and determination.”

Other planes featured at the festival include Battle of Britain stalwart WWII Hawker Hurricane and the world’s only vertical take-off fighter the Harrier jump jet.

Visitors will get a chance to sit in the cockpits of the famous planes, fly in a simulator and view displays of scale models and paintings.

Sue Bowers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund London said: “This is the story of a world-beating local industry, the thousands of men and women who were part of it, and the outstanding military aircraft that have played a vital role at key points in the nation’s history.”

Hawker Association are recruiting volunteers for the festival.

For more information, email webmaster@hawkerassociation.org.uk.