DID you spot this Royal Air Force plane above the skies of Northwich yesterday, April 16?

Guardian reader Steve Pinchbeck took this picture of an an RAF C17 Globemaster above Cuddington.

RAF Brize Norton, home to the C17 fleet, has confirmed that aircraft ZZ174 was active in the vicinity of Northwich.

It was part of an exercise for RAF pilots, who are required to fly every 31 days as an absolute minimum to ensure keep up their standards of safe flying.

An RAF spokesman said: “Following the initial pause at the outbreak of the Covid-19 crisis, essential elements of flying activity within the RAF has now recommenced.

"This activity is necessary for our operational aircrew to remain safe, proficient and legally qualified to fly.

"The flying around Manchester and Cheshire was part of that activity, to ensure that our aircrew maintain their ‘currency’ and remain operationally ready to support future tasking."