Tributes were paid to the joint force of Royal Navy and RAF Harrier jump jets as 16 of the aircraft flew in a diamond formation over eastern England to mark the aircraft's retirement after 41 years of service.

The formation of 16 Harriers took to the skies over Lincolnshire on December 15 from their base at RAF Cottesmore as a final fly past of this iconic British invention. Brought into service in 1969 and based at RAF Wittering, this British aircraft was designed to take off and land both vertically and on a short runway.

Well known for its role in the Falklands War, the Harrier went on to serve in many other conflicts, including Bosnia and Iraq in the 1990s.

The RAF and Royal Navy Harrier squadrons joined forces in 2000 to form Joint Force Harrier, based at RAF Cottesmore. These combined Harrier squadrons went on to serve in Sierra Leone, the second Gulf War and most recently Afghanistan.

There was added poignancy to the special date as one of the special guests was due to be Brian Hanrahan, the BBC News reporter who famously coined the phrase ‘‘...I counted them all out and I counted them back’’ about the Harrier during the Falklands conflict. Mr Hanrahan was ill and subsequently died last week, aged just 61, after suffering from cancer.

DIARY DATES: Today: HMS Ganges Association meets at 19.30 hours at Feversham Street Sea Cadet headquarters.

Yorkshire Volunteers Regiment Association meets at 19.30 hours at Keighley drill hall.

The Central branch of the Royal British Legion meets at 13.00 hours at Unit 16, Listerhills Science Park.

Wednesday: Russian Convoy Club meets at 11.30 hours at Eastborough Working Men’s Club, Dewsbury. D-Day and Normandy Veterans Association meets at 19.30 hours at Clayton Lane Club.

Thursday: Submariners Association meets at 20.00 hours at Tong Street Conservative Club.

Monday: The Skipton branch of the Royal Naval Association meets at 20.00 hours at The White Rose Club.