Air cadets have joined forces with volunteers at de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre museum in London Colney.

The 2203 (Hatfield and de Havilland) Squadron ATC has a number of its teenage members on the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and on Saturday they joined museum volunteers at the historic Salisbury Hall.

Troy Ratcliffe, squadron civilian instructor, said: "Our cadets are looking forward to working closely with the team and in particular are extremely focussed on the opportunity to learn about the history of the different aircraft and the site itself while developing their own skills."

Cadets working towards their DoE Bronze Award, joined museum volunteers to carry out a variety of work including helping to run the new Aeroshop.

They were also able to get a close look at the some of the 20 or more historic aircraft on display and the restoration currently taking place there.

Mr Ratcliffe added: "We are proud to start an association with the museum as we both have strong links to the Hatfield area and the de Havilland name. The area should be proud of its heritage in aircraft manufacturing history and we are proud to have that association."

The cadets will now work towards preparing a display on Operation Jericho, the 1944 low-level bombing raid by de Havilland Mosquito fighter-bombers from RAF Hunsdon and Hertfordshire on Amiens Prison in northern France, where the Gestapo had imprisoned hundreds of French Resistance members.

Museum marketing director Mike Nevin, who negotiated the new link with the ATC and welcomed the cadets on Saturday, said: "The museum is delighted to be involved with the ATC and this squadron in particular.

"We are looking forward to developing our relationship with them and getting them more involved with the museum and what we do."