A SPECIAL NHS72 Spitfire plane flew over the skies as part of a celebration of all the work the NHS did over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

It had a set course and times.

The timetable said it would be passing over Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) at 10.43 am on Friday morning.

Sure enough, staff came out from the hospital. Members of the public stood on Hamstel Road, with cameras ready.

YH went up on to the top floor of the Wych Elm car park where a dozen or more residents waited in anticipation.

We waited and waited until we could see the Spitfire in the distance. Unfortunately, that is exactly where it stayed.

It flew over North Weald but it seemed to hug the M11. This was excellent news for people in Old Harlow and Church Langley but not so good for the staff at PAH.

You started to wonder if it had flown over the planned new hospital off the M11.

It then veered left and into Hertfordshire, again quite a distance away.

The only close up plane people saw was a Ryanair flight coming into land at Stansted.

What a shame but never mind.

If you lived in Chadwell St Mary, then this is the view you would have got.

Thanks to our friend, photographer Rob Lay for the shot.