Cumbria's four lost and forgotten RAF bases

However, during the years, many bases have been closed, abandoned and forgotten.

Some of the bases were rendered redundant after the second world war while other relocated to more spacious or compact areas.

The Ministry of Defence is constantly reviewing and changing its security and defence which is why they are continually opening, closing and relocating to new areas in the UK.

Here are some of Cumbria's lost and forgotten RAF stations:

RAF Crosby-on-Eden, known now as Carlisle Lake District Airport

Carlisle Lake District Airport

In the early 1930s The City of Carlisle County Borough Council opened Kingstown Municipal Airport, at the time outside the borough boundaries which later became RAF Kingstown and is now Kingstown and Kingmoor industrial estates and business parks.

With the outbreak of war in 1939, RAF Kingstown's runway was too small for bombers, so the Royal Air Force developed a new airstrip at Crosby-on-Eden to the east of Carlisle, which is now the Carlisle Lake District Airport, on the line of the Stanegate Roman road.

The new facility came into operation in February 1941 for training operations, designating the station RAF Crosby-on-Eden.

RAF Silloth

One of the hangers close to Causewayhead cemetary near Silloth. The hanger that was part of Silloth Airfield is now used as an animal feeds store. An application has been submitted to change the use of the building to a category three waste composting

The airfield was originally designed to be used by RAF Maintenance Command but was handed over to Coastal Command in November 1939.

Many of the buildings still survive, including the hangars, but the runways are in a bad condition.

The airfield is also known as Silloth Airfield/Aerodrome.

RAF Millom

Former RAF Millom and Haverigg Museum - in the process of being demolished. Picture: JON GRANGER

Opened in January 1941 as No.2 bombing and gunnery school and in summer became No. 2 air observer School.

In 1942 it became No. 2 Observer Advanced Flying Unit until 1945 and in 1946 it was put under care and maintenance until 1953 when it was reopened for a 12-month period as No.1 Officer Cadet Training Unit.

HM Prison Service took it over in 1967.

RAF Kirkbride

Hangar 1 located on Kirkbride Airfield

Kirkbride Airfield was opened in May 1939, it's role was as a storage and maintenance base to keep aircraft safe after being built at various factories before going onto be delivered to a frontline unit.

After the war had finished the airfield was as a giant storage area for unwanted airframes.

Much of the airfield survives and is used by light aircraft and microlights. Most of the hangars still stand, now used for industry or agriculture.