A giant military transport aircraft was circling over Norfolk as dusk fell on Thursday.

The navigation lights of the RAF C-17 Globemaster could be seen from miles away as it performed circuits of west and north Norfolk.

After taking off from RAF Brize Norton, in Gloucestershire, it flew over the Fens and Downham Market, before loitering above a large area including the Rudhams, Creakes, the Burnhams and Docking.

The military has not announced the purpose of the sortie.

A screenshot from Flightradar showing the route the aircraft took over NorfolkA screenshot from Flightradar showing the route the aircraft took over Norfolk (Image: Flightradar) The four-engined C17, with a 170ft wingspan can carry more than 70 tonnes of cargo and cruise at 500mph.

It was developed by the US Air Force in the late 1990s and can also be used to carry paratroopers. 

The aircraft, which has a maximum range of 7,000 miles, has also carried personnel and supplies on humanitarian aid missions.

In September, 2022, a C-17 carried the body of the late Queen Elizabeth II from Edinburgh Airport to RAF Northolt in London after she passed away at Balmoral.