A HOST of dignitaries took time out from election campaigns and political duties to walk in the steps of movies stars at one of the world's best-preserved bomber airfields in Bicester.

Bicester Mayor Les Sibley rounded up a host of councillors and local figureheads to take a look around Bicester Heritage.

The visitor attraction, which has taken on the former RAF Bicester, is reinventing and restoring the old buildings from the former World War Two bomber station to create a hub for historic motoring.

Mr Sibley said afterwards: "It was a great day and great fun was had by all. It was brilliant to host another visit and for people to be able to see what is the best preserved World War Two bomber training station in the country.

"It shows off what the site in Bicester has to offer.

"People were also able to walk in the footsteps of many famous actors from several films shot at Bicester Heritage - including The Imitation Game."

Among the glittering host of movie stars to have graced the former air base to shoot big screen hits is Benedict Cumberbatch.

The Sherlock star filmed at the site in 2014 for The Imitation Game, about code-breaking genius Alan Turing.

Most recently, movie star Gary Oldman's new role as Sir Winston Churchill brought him to Bicester as he filmed scenes for the award winning film Darkest Hour.

The two-hour touring visit on Wednesday, April 11, was organised by Mr Sibley and included about 20 people being taken around.

Visitors included Banbury Mayor Colin Clarke, Mayor of Thame Tom Wyse and Oxfordshire county councillor John Howson.

The visit marked the fifth anniversary for Bicester Heritage since it took on the former RAF site and helped restore it to its former glory.

Managing director Dan Geoghegan said: "The mayor’s visit was welcomed as a further endorsement of the progress of Bicester Heritage, not only marking the completion of the latest phase of refurbishments but our own fifth anniversary here."

The site now boasts a host of classic motoring businesses and includes auction house Brightwells and has plans to create a hotel.

The organisation has said 80 per cent of the former RAF Bicester site has now been transformed.

Phase four of its expansion works included restoring the 'technical site', where almost 20 listed buildings and five scheduled ancient monuments have been brought back to life.