Winston Churchill's great-grandson has written an open letter in support of the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum.

The letter is addressed to the Royal Air Force community.

In the letter, Randolph Churchill, who is Patron of the museum, slammed a petition that has been circulating about the project, saying it has misled people.

Mr Churchill said: "The petition has, I know, misled many people into thinking that the Chapel is being demolished and Biggin Hill’s important wartime heritage destroyed along with it.

"As Patron of the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum I must step in and correct these rumours.

"The Chapel is being restored to its original beauty and is absolutely not being demolished.

"It is only an annex, built in 1990, which is being removed. Removing the annex returns the Chapel to its original symmetrical design intention, as fundraised for by my great-grandfather.

"Its historic features are being conserved, its mechanical and electrical systems upgraded, and historic views of the building reinstated."

Works have started on the museum which will commemorate Biggin Hill’s contribution to both world wars.