THE US Air Force has denied that a B52 Stratofortress bomber seen flying over Whitchurch and north Shropshire is part of any ongoing 'tensions' with Russia over Ukraine.

The long-range heavy bomber was spotted by an eagle-eyed Camera Club member as it passed over the town on its way from its base in North Dakota, in America, to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

The bomber, part of a convoy of four, has been used by the US military in numerous conflicts, including the Vietnam War to most recently in Afghanistan.

A spokesperson for the US Air Force tried to assure residents that the plane was not being prepared for any potential involvement in Ukraine as tensions rise but was on a pre-planned flight.

He added: "This is not in response to Ukraine-Russia tensions but is part of a regularly scheduled US European Command and US Strategic Command joint mission series, which has been routinely occurring since 2018.

"Bomber rotations through Europe maintain our readiness to execute a wide variety of missions across two continents, sustaining peace through deterrence.

"The bomber aircraft will be operating from RAF Fairford and will integrate with our allies and partners throughout the rotation."

The US Air Force has a big presence in the UK and has worked very closely with the RAF.