RESIDENTS have been gazing to the skies on Tuesday to catch a glimpse of a set of RAF vehicles flying above Colchester.

The vehicles, from RAF Brize Norton, flew over Colchester Garrison to mark Prince Charles arriving at the venue.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited Merville Barracks today in his role as Colonel in Chief of the Parachute Regiment.

Gazette: Stunning pictures captured RAF flypast in Colchester. Picture: William ButcherStunning pictures captured RAF flypast in Colchester. Picture: William Butcher

At a special ceremony this morning personnel from the Parachute Regiment were presented with new colours - ceremonial military flags - which will replace those previously presented to the battalions at Aldershot in 1998.

The six vehicles, a mixture of planes and helicopters, passed over the garrison in the late morning.

Residents were warned in advance of the noise.

The vehicles ranged from across the regiment's history, from the Tiger Moth to the modern-day Apache helicopter and the A400 transporter.

Gazette: Stunning pictures capture RAF flypast in Colchester. Picture: William ButcherStunning pictures capture RAF flypast in Colchester. Picture: William Butcher

Residents captured images from outside their homes or in their gardens.

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William Butcher captured a series of pictures of the vehicles flying near his home in Colchester.

Gazette: Stunning pictures capture RAF flypast in Colchester. Picture: William ButcherStunning pictures capture RAF flypast in Colchester. Picture: William Butcher