The ghostly outlines of a Prisoner of War camp in Beckenham have been revealed after the recent warm weather.

Beckenham Place Park, off Beckenham Hill, was once home to prisoners of war (POW) during the Second World War (1939-45).

Ravensbourne Avenue resident, Les Campion, spotted the historical shapes while walking his dogs.

Mr Campion, 71, who’s retired, said: “30 odd years ago I was told there was a POW camp here and every so often when the grass gets badly parched from the weather all these large shapes loom out of the grass.

“The grass is green and growing but where the huts were it’s white. There must have been 30 to 40 huts.

“I think it was chosen because it was actually the only site where you've got the railway line, a water main on one side and there were two sewage pipes. That would have been the only place to put a camp that's got water and sewage.”

It is believed Italian POWS were housed at the site.

MORE TOP STORIES Mal Mitchell, from Friends of Beckenham Place Park, added he thought the camp may have been referred to under the name the Ravensbourne Summertime Camp.

He said: “There are very little records about the POW camp, but there are still people around who remember that camp. As far as we know it was Italians, some said there were a few Germans.

“It would have been there certainly up until the end of the war, after the Italians capitulated and became allies rather than enemies, I think there was quite a friendly atmosphere between them and the local people.”

Many pre-fabs were built using the labour of POWs after the war to address the chronic housing shortage, particularly in the capital.

Mr Mitchell added: “Most of them have been knocked down, they built some in Lewisham and I think the Excalibur estate in Downham was built by them.

“There are a couple of bumps into the ground and we always wondered what they were and if they were connected to the POW camp.”

Do you remember the camp or have any photos? Get in touch on Rebecca.Flood@london.newsquest.co.uk.