One of the earliest Tornado planes ever built has made its home at Shoreham airport.

Tornado XX947 replaces the Westland Wessex helicopter as the gate guardian at the headquarters of pilot flight equipment supplier, Transair.

The plane arrived at the airport in three sections, which were transported from RAF Cosford near Wolverhampton.

Louise Davis, spokeswoman for Transair, said: "We are always on the look-out for a gate guardian. Ever since we have been here we have had something standing there. We like to change it.

"The Tornado was not needed any more so we were lucky enough to be able to acquire it.

"The Tornado is of historical interest and we are extremely proud to have it at Shoreham airport."

Engineers spent yesterday assembling the aircraft, which is more than 56ft long, has a maximum wingspan of more than 45ft and is more than 19ft tall.

Tornado XX947 was the second prototype Tornado aircraft to be built and was used extensively for flight-testing in the development of the Tornado.

It took its maiden flight from Bae Warton, Lancashire, on August 5, 1975, and has flown for a total of 1,830 hours.

The Tornado was the RAF's first swing-wing plane, which means it could sweep its wings back in flight for speed. It had a maximum speed of 1,453mph and could fly 1,727 miles on a full tank of fuel.