Nine US air force personnel have stepped up to the mark to help with a Norfolk vineyard's harvest this year.

The group, consisting of military and civilian staff from RAF Mildenhall, spent a day at Chet Valley Vineyard.

The activity is part of a programme designed to help those serving at the base connect with the local community.

Chaplain Cliff Hanson, who led the group, said: “We absolutely love coming off the base and doing things like this.

“Getting out in the open air and undertaking something completely different – especially something peaceful like being in an English vineyard – is a great way of building resilience and allowing people the time and space to think about something other than the jobs they do.”

US Air Force personnel help with Norfolk vineyard harvest US Air Force personnel help with Norfolk vineyard harvest (Image: Newman Associates PR)

The group included aircraft technicians, communications troops, schedulers, and civil contractors.

Chet Valley's owner and winemaker, John Hemmant, said: “Almost every English vineyard would not be able to operate without volunteers coming to help with harvest."