The only known female Spitfire pilot in the world escaped injury when her 56-year-old aircraft was in a collision with a parked helicopter.

Carolyn Grace, 47, of Halstead, was taxiing at low speed following a practice flight when the collision occurred at the aviation headquarters of the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambs, on Friday.

Mrs Grace escaped from the collision unhurt but was treated for shock.

A museum spokeswoman said the emergency services had responded quickly.

"The aircraft had just made a short practice flight after its winter break and appears to have sustained only light damage.

"The helicopter has sustained more serious damage."

Mrs Grace, born in Australia, learned to fly the 1944 Spitfire Mark IV, as a tribute to her husband, Nick, who died in a car crash in Sussex in 1988.

He had spent five years meticulously restoring the Spitfire after finding it in pieces in Scotland.

The Spitfire, known as the Grace Spitfire, flew 176 operational sorties during the Second World War, and is credited with being the first aircraft to shoot down an enemy plane, a Junkers Ju88, on D-Day.

Mrs Grace flies her Spitfire at airshows across the country and is based at Earls Colne Airfield.

Flashback picture - Carolyn Grace in the cockpit of her Spitfire.

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