EAGLE-EYED people in North Oxfordshire may have spotted an extraordinary site after four historic World War Two aircraft took to the skies to film at Bicester Heritage.

The fitting backdrop of the historic motoring and aviation site is fast becoming a regular feature on the big screen playing host to the likes of Keira Knightley and Benedict Cumberbatch for The Imitation Game.

This time camera crews rolled up to the 328-acre airbase in hot pursuit of three Mk 1 Spitfires and Mk 1 Hurricane for an upcoming historic documentary.

The four roared through the sky above the former RAF bomber station, which has been restored, as film crews trailed behind in a helicopter to capture all their twists and turns.

The site was chosen for its historic character which has been restored by Bicester Heritage which took over the site in April 2013 to help preserve the First World War and Second World War site.

It has now created a centre for motoring and aviation and is commonly visited by wartime vehicles such as the Spitfire and Bristol Blenheim Bomber.

The Spitfire was fundamental during the Second World War and Elliptical Wing Film Company hope to capture its grace and historic significance in the aptly-named documentary Spitfire feature Bicester Heritage.

Bicester Heritage spokeswoman Tiggy Atkinson said: “With much excitement Bicester Heritage played host to the Elliptical Wing Film Company and four spectacular World War Two aircraft.

“Elliptical Wing are in the process of producing a documentary of national importance about the aircraft that helped saved the country during the Second World War – the iconic Spitfire.

“The excitement grew as the fighters took to the air to perform their displays with a helicopter ready to capture the action.

“The team at Bicester Heritage is thrilled to have been able to help film these iconic war birds and we look forward to the theatrical release of Spitfire in the spring of 2018.”

The Hurricane and Spitfires landed on the airfield on Wednesday, much to the delight of surrounding residents.

Kelly Fulcher posted a video on the Bicester General Chat Facebook page of the planes flying in formation as the helicopter hovered overhead.

Ms Fulcher commented “exciting filming going on at the airfield” with other residents adding that they could see the filming from their homes.

The aircraft were flown by John Romain, Cliff Spink, Stu Goldspink and Paul Bonhomme and photographer John Dibbs was on hand to capture the moment.

The producers said: “Bicester was chosen because it is one of the few remaining grass airfields in the country. There is a time-capsule quality to Bicester Heritage and it was the natural place for us to come and film these amazing aircraft.”

The site was once considered to be one of the most at risk Ministry of Defence bases in the country with fears it could lose its character due to “inappropriate development”.

Now more than 60 buildings have been restored and more than 20 businesses, apprenticeships and motoring and aviation groups are run from the site.