THE uniform of a soldier involved in the D-Day landings is one of the new exhibits on display at Boxted Airfield.

The museum at the Second World War base, once home to 3,000 military personal, is set to reopen on July 26.

It was forced to close because of Covid-19 restrictions.

There will be strict social distancing measures in place but visitors will be able to see a new collection of nine uniforms, in a recently-opened large display hall.

Museum chairman Richard Turner said: "We have some exciting exhibits for 2020.

"One of the uniforms belonged to Jack Norton, who was a signals officer with the 354th Fighter Group.

"He landed on Omaha beach on D-Day.

"Two of the uniforms belonged to British military women and six of them to personnel of the US 9th Air Force.

"They include a Major Gau, corporal Marty Thibo, a military policeman, sergeant Darwin Morse, EJ Seagars, a pilot, second Lt Harry Taylor, a B26 Marauder pilot and staff sergeant Eddie Kovalchik, a radio operator and turret gunner on Marauders.

"We're also delighted to be able to display the remains of a memorial bench that was sited close to the airfield in 1948.

"We have the top of the bench with the memorial inscription.

"The bench stood at the top of Severalls Lane for a number of years but, when the area was developed, the bench head went into storage at Colchester Museum.

"We now own this historic item and are pleased to bring it back into public view."

The museum will be open from 10am until 4pm on July 26 and the suggested admission donation is £4.

In line with government guidelines, a maximum of six visitors will be allowed in any building at any time and they will need to stay at least one metre apart.

They must follow a one-way system around each building and be asked to use a hand sanitiser.

Payment must be by card or contactless and visitors will be asked to support the NHS Track and Trace service, by giving their name and contact details. Records will be destroyed after 21 days.

For more information, visit www.boxted-airfield.com or contact Mr Turner on 07503 952354.