A RELIC of the Second World War is now in place at the former RAF Harrowbeer airfield after a move from a quarry at Plymstock.

The Alan Williams Turret was used as a machine gun turret for either ground defence or anti craft role, and was believed to have originated from RAF Harrowbeer.

Two hundred were made and installed but salvaging of their metal after the Second World War has meant that today very few remain.

One of these turrets ended up in a quarry at Plymstock and for many years it was used as a quarryman's shelter, but as the site is to become a new housing development the turret has become redundant.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority organised the removal of the turret with RAF Harrowbeer Archive, to the former RAF Harrowbeer airfield.

The turret was placed on the grounds of Knightstone Tea Rooms, which used to be the former watch office for the airfield, on Monday.

Michael Hayes, owner of the tea rooms which houses RAF memorabilia, and his wife Lucy, have been researching RAF Harrowbeer for the past 16 years.

Mrs Hayes said: 'We heard that the quarry was being developed and we were asked if we would like it.

'The process to get it here has taken a couple of months, and it is now in the car park. Over the next few months we will restore it but it will still stay in the car park, and stay there forever.'

Jane Marchand, senior archaeologist at Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: 'Dartmoor National Park Authority has been delighted to have been involved with this project. We regard the AW turret as being one of Dartmoor's historic assets, and are really pleased to see it returned to its original location.'

There were three of these turrets at the Harrowbeer airfield during the war and the three rings where they sat can still be seen.