THOUSANDS of people lined Southampton Water today as a piece of the city’s history soared across the skyline.

A sea of people descended on Weston shore to get a glimpse of the Spitfire as it flew across Southampton Water shortly after 4pm today.

Joined by a Hurricane and the UK’s only flying Lancaster bomber the planes soared across to Netley Abbey where they circled the Royal Victoria Country Park three times.

Flying down from Sunderland as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight the Spitfire made its way through the place where its creator RJ Mitchell was born and where so many were made.

Flying in formation the planes then made their way to Southampton Airport the scene of the Spitfires first test flight back in 1936.