A village near RAF Fairford has been blighted by hordes of planespotters hoping to catch a glimpse of American bombers heading to strike Iran.
Locals in Marston Meysey have been left overwhelmed by the “spotters” since jets arrived at the base earlier this month.
The airbase in Gloucestershire has drawn aviation enthusiasts from across Britain and abroad, with some travelling from as far as the Netherlands.
Visitors have been camping outside the facility for days in cars and caravans, using ladders to peer over screens erected to block their view.
Marston Meysey residents say hundreds of spotters pass through ever day, creating traffic chaos and behaving badly.
The village sits within walking distance of the base, making it a focal point for enthusiasts seeking vantage points.
Dave James, a 71-year-old retiree, said he sees hundreds of spotters each day and wants increased police patrols.
“We need something in place, to deter them to stay away from here,” he said. “Why should we be overrun with them?”
Mr James complained that visitors were congesting the narrow village roads, preventing locals from parking outside their homes after work.
He also noted that spotters sit in farmers’ fields without permission, damaging grass meant for silage.
The 71-year-old added: “There’s foreign cars, up the lane, one is from Netherlands so he’s travelled all the way from Holland. They are treating it like a holiday.
“They are obviously in support of what’s happening in Iran. If Donald Trump has started it that’s why we’ve got this out here and so they must be supporting whatever Donald Trump is doing.
Spotters have brought ladders to peer into the airbase and see exactly which planes are heading for Iran
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PICTURED: A B-1 bomber takes off from RAF Fairford, as seen from nearby Kempston
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“I’d like to get all them spotters away from here – out of our community.”
His partner Chrissie James, 77, told the Mail some spotters had become abusive and were blocking locals’ driveways.
“It wears you down a bit,” she said.
Charity worker Kirsty Payne, 57, said the village has been “absolutely swamped” since American forces began using the base.
She reported that emergency vehicles and school buses now struggle to navigate roads clogged with parked cars.
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‘If Donald Trump has started it that’s why we’ve got this out here,’ local Dave James vented
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RAF Fairford has played host to the infamously loud B-52 (pictured) and B-1 bombers, as well as U-2 spy planes and more
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“We can’t walk the dogs down there anymore, because there’s toilet paper and human excrement in the bushes,” Ms Payne said.
“They are weeing everywhere – they’re there for hours and hours.”
She warned that wildlife and hedgerows would suffer from people urinating and defecating in the area.
Spotters have also been climbing trees and standing on stepladders to get better views, she added.
Ms Payne did say, however, that only a small minority of enthusiasts were responsible for the worst behaviour.
Traffic cones have been placed along some local roads to stop a buildup of parked planespotters’ cars
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But Gloucestershire County Council has been forced to put temporary traffic management measures in place around the base following requests from police and RAF Fairford.
Traffic cones have been placed along Whelford Road after columns vehicles blocked the shared pedestrian and cycle route.
A road closure on Dunfield Road now restricts access to local residents only.
Councillor Martin Smith, Wiltshire’s cabinet member for highways, said enforcement officers had issued penalty charge notices for vehicles parked on double yellow lines.
Wiltshire Police Inspector Scott Anger said officers had been conducting regular patrols and working with the parish council.
“We are asking people to be mindful if they visit the village,” he added.