PILOTS’ plans to photograph the eclipse from a Hampshire airfield today failed to get off the ground.

Light aircraft crews gathered at Popham Airfield this morning as part of an ambitious attempt to capture the phenomenon from thousands of feet above the ground.

But their hopes to witness one of nature’s greatest feats were dashed by the British weather – leaving them stranded on the runway.

Teams from Airbourne Aviation had organised what they say was the country’s only mass fly-by to mark today’s event.

Around 10 planes gathered on the runway with air crews carrying cameras attached with special filters enabling them to safely photograph the sun without damaging their eyes.

They aimed to take advantage of an unobstructed view of the eclipse from above the clouds at 3,000metres.

But thick clouds and mist shrouding the skies made it too dangerous for them to take off because visibility was below 500 metres.

The event was organised by Matthew Myatt from Winchester who had spread the word via social media.

Spectators gathered inside the clubhouse eager to watch the drama unfold.

Mr Myatt, preparing to take to the skies in an Ikarus C42, said: “We were really looking forward to getting a clear view in perfect blue sky.

“We were watching weather reports and could see there were areas across the country where the weather was improving.

“But it seemed like Popham seemed to be one of the only places where it hung around.

“I was really disappointing when it got to 9.25am and we realised we would not be able to get into the air.”

But Mr Myatt, who works as a freelance photojournalist for the BBC, said the crews were determined to keep their spirits up despite being unable to stage the feat.

The 47-year-old who witnessed a total eclipse on board a ship in the Panama Canal, in Panama, South America, in 1998 said: “Even though we were unable to fly it was still a great social event.

“Everybody got together and it was more of a disappointment than a disaster.

“We are just going to have to put the aircraft away, polish them and bring them out again for the next eclipse in 2026.”