Britain's Harrier jump jets took off today on what was billed as their "final flight" before the axe of Government spending cuts falls on them.

The 16-strong fleet of distinctive aircraft soared into the grey skies above RAF Cottesmore in the East Midlands on a farewell journey due to take them over several other RAF bases.

Weather permitting, they were scheduled to fly over the local town centres of Stamford and Oakham as well as Lincoln Cathedral before landing back at RAF Cottesmore later.

The jets date back to the 1960s when the first generation of Harriers were built in the UK. They became famous for their ability to hover above the ground.

In 1969 the Royal Air Force became the first in the world to use the jets' unusual vertical take-off and landing abilities.

This distinctive feature enabled the aircraft to fly in and out of areas near to the battlefield that conventional aircraft cannot reach.

But the planes fell victim to the recent bout of belt-tightening by the coalition, which announced they would be removed from service in this autumn's defence review.

Today's flight was in celebration of their retirement, the Ministry of Defence said.