A new engineering centre at a Norfolk airfield has been described as one of the most significant advances in its 70-year history.

The Old Buckenham Aero Engineering Centre, at Old Buckenham Airfield, is designed to bring repairs, maintenance, avionics and paint and upholstery specialists in the aviation business into one place.

The centre involved more than a year of research and negotiation and, organisers say, creates a 'badly-needed centre of excellence'.

Matt Wilkins, airfield manager 'This is one of the most significant developments in 70 years at Old Buckenham.

'With the creation of the Aero Engineering Centre, we have immediately put the airfield at the forefront of aircraft maintenance.

'Very few other places can boast of such an array of aircraft services – and fewer still offer these options to general aviation.

'We're now able to offer a world famous airfield with a Civil Aviation Authority Licence, brand new hangars and every conceivable aviation service.

'Old Buckenham continues to be one of UK aviation's great success stories.'

Paul Hendry Smith, owner of The Light Aircraft Company, which is one of the firms that will be in the new centre, added: 'We are delighted to be able to offer our service to a wider audience and Old Buckenham is the perfect place to do just that.'

The firm will carry out a range of work from emergency maintenance to 50-hour checks at the centre.

Old Buckenham Airfield is a former Second World War US Air Force base.

It hosts the annual Old Buckenham Airshow, with this year's event due to take place on July 26 and 27 and include a variety of aviation activities, displays and other entertainment.

Is your business celebrating a success story? Email business writer Ben Woods at ben.woods@archant.co.uk