A 95-year-old Yeovil resident recently gave Leonardo apprentices a walk down memory lane on the history of the site with his first-hand experiences.

Keith Griffiths responded to his granddaughter's invite and revisited the site where he began his career in 1945 as a 17-year-old apprentice.

Matt Grindon, test pilot at Flight Operations Leonardo UK, said: "It was a great honour to host Keith around the hangar and enjoy his stories from the early beginnings of helicopter production at the Yeovil site.

"His experiences brought us all closer to living history – fascinating."

Somerset County Gazette: Remembering the 40s, Mr Griffiths recalled the fixed-wing planes that had been built at the Yeovil

Remembering the 40s, Mr Griffiths recalled the fixed-wing planes that had been built at the Yeovil site since the early 1900s, including Lysanders.

He observed how manufacturing and testing techniques have changed due to modern computing and technology.

Notwithstanding these changes, Mr Griffiths found a connection with the current apprentices over similar experiences.

Jack Gibb, third year Engineering Degree Apprentice, said: "Keith said that when he lived in Weymouth it was still the era when bombs were dropped overhead.

"Around the time that he joined, he would have to hide in shelters in Weymouth.

"His story was a stark reminder that what we do here is important and it does have meaning and influence in the world."