Dogwalkers at Kenley airfield were in for a surprise today, with the arrival of an RAF radar and a number of military vehicles at the airfield overnight. The radar was brought to the airfield under police escort, and will be gone again by the end of today, Friday, 3rd February.

With the impending Olympic Games in London the RAF have been assessing a number of locations as potential sites to house a radar system designed to warn of impending missile attacks. Today it is Kenley Aerodrome's turn.

The operational airstrip, normally the domain of gliders, has been empty for the last three days as preparations for the arrival of the system were completed. Brought from RAF Henlow and RAF Scampton, the radar system will be 25 metres tall and has its own overground fuel storage system.

With the number of dogwalkers and children who use the site the potential for risk is high. Steve Codd, Duty Instructor at Kenley Gliding Club, remained unsure whether the site will be the final choice for the defence system.

Steve said: "If the MoD chooses Kenley, we will not be able to fly our gliders during the Olympics but I don't think we will be financially compensated."