Former WW2 runways off the A259 near Eastbourne transformed

The old runways at Gayles Farm in Friston have been planted with a meadow grassland mix which is "full of wildflowers".

During the war, the farm became RAF Friston and the skies rang with the sound of Spitfires and Hurricane aircraft. In the lead up to D-Day, 1,400 airmen were stationed at the farm.

The entrance to Gayles Farm, just off the A259 in Friston (Image: N Chadwick)

The National Trust is leading the project, part of a wider scheme called Changing Chalk, which aims to restore biodiversity at such sites in rare chalk grassland habitat.

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Thyone Outram from the National Trust said: "We've been changing its use, so it better supports the local chalk downland wildlife.

"We've planted the old runways with a meadow grassland mix full of wildflowers. The total area planted amounts to 10 hectares, approximately 25 football pitches, and will help wildlife move across the landscape while the farm provides good food for its animals that maintain the chalk grassland.”

The South Downs National Park Authority, which is a partner in the initiative, is currently working with farmers and landowners to establish more conservation grazing to help restore and improve chalk grassland.