In the feature, Ghost Riders in the Sky are Real (News Shopper, May 30), we asked if any readers had any supernatural experiences concerning Biggin Hill airport. Here are some of your replies

ON JANUARY 26, 1997, at midnight, I saw a ghost at Hawley Corner, Westerham Hill.

My two sons worked at the Spinning Wheel Restaurant at the time and had phoned me to collect them.

As I turned left towards the restaurant, the headlights of my car picked up a young man, with very blond hair, in a leather flying jacket, holding his helmet. He was right next to the telegraph pole on the grass bank just standing still, looking at my car.

I was so shocked I seemed to take forever to turn the corner. The image was clear, even though it was a foggy night.

When I pulled in to the car park, my two sons who usually came out to wait for my arrival, were nowhere to be seen.

Apparently, my older son, Paul, had gone back into the kitchen as he had forgotten his gloves. My younger son, Mark, stood there for a couple of moments on his own but suddenly felt cold, and as though someone was there, he went back in the restaurant. Normally, they would not have worried.

I never believed in ghosts until I saw the above. On future occasions when collecting them, I thought I might see the pilot again but I have not.

When my son Paul mentioned this to a gentleman at the ATC, Biggin Hill, he was told a Hurricane crashed there some years ago. Can anyone verify this?

NAME SUPPLIED

Biggin Hill

TWO summers ago, I was employed as a passenger survey operative by London Transport Buses. One of my tasks was to survey the route from Bromley North to Westerham via Biggin Hill. I was instructed to work on the first bus I think about 6am out of Bromley.

I duly reported to the driver and we set off. This trip was very quiet. During the journey I got into conversation with the driver.

Approaching Biggin Hill Airport, the driver asked me if I believed in ghosts. I said no, but I had already spoken to someone who had seen one.

The driver then told me he had seen one: "I was doing a similar run like today and approaching Biggin Hill. I distinctly saw a figure of a man waiting at the aerodrome bus stop to board the bus.

"As I got near the stop, I could see that it was an RAF airman but the strange thing was, I noticed he was wearing the uniform of the 1940s. I found this very strange and thought it was my imagination.

"I continued towards the stop and was almost there when this figure suddenly vanished. I could not believe what I had seen. I was the only person on the bus so there were no passengers to back up my story."

I felt I had to put pen to paper to tell this story, albeit by a third person. Do ghosts exist or not?

MALBON PRESSER

Woodham Road

Catford

I KNOW ghosts are real. I used to spend every Sunday at Biggin Hill with my mum and dad in the summers of 1957 to 1958.

I used to play in the grass-covered tunnels.

I saw a few things but was told it was my mind playing tricks but I don't think so. I know what I saw.

One Sunday, as it was getting dark, I was on my way back to the car when I saw two airmen running.

One was calling "Run, Albie!"

Then, before they got to me, they were gone.

Another time I was playing in the tunnels and I heard crying but I couldn't find anyone making the sound as it was only us children there.

These are just two of the strange things I saw and heard there.

MRS J R TORRANCE

Birdbrook Road

Kidbrooke

If you have any interesting history memories call Lucya Szachnowski on 01689 885734 or write to her at News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, BR5 1BT.

July 6, 2001 11:22