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Hooton Park airfield museum plans to expand

BBC planes currently on show at the museumBBC
Hooton Park Hangars attracts hundreds of visitors during summer open days

A museum showcasing old aircraft on the site of a World War One airfield is planning to expand.

Volunteers at Hooton Park Trust hope to display more planes in one of three hangars, which fell into disrepair.

A planning application to develop the current museum in Ellesmere Port has been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Graham Sparks, chair of Hooton Park Trust, said they hoped to open the expanded venue on 28 April.

"We want to attract family groups and are keeping the cost down," he added.

"As we develop, we hope to get more interactive exhibits so we're always on the lookout for volunteers."

Mike Searle/Geograph A closer view of the inside of the hangarMike Searle/Geograph
The three aircraft hangars on-site fell into disrepair

Previously used as a racecourse, the site became an aerodrome in 1917 when it was used for military training during World War One.

In 1930, it officially became Liverpool Airport for three years until Speke took over.

Pioneering aviator Amy Johnson - famous for her record attempt at a solo flight from London to Australia - also stopped off at the airfield.

During World War Two, it hosted the famed Hurricane and Spitfire fighter planes.

A plane currently on show at the museum
The site assembled and repaired RAF aircraft in World War Two

Shell and Vauxhall Motors later used the site before the volunteer-run Hooton Park Trust took over in 2000.

Mr Sparks said their monthly open days attracted about 400 visitors during the summer season in 2023.

"We're hoping that as we expand, we could open for weekends if we can get more volunteers," he added.

A replica of a WW1 Sopwith plane will be among various aircrafts on show in the planned expansion.

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