VILLAGE leaders have condemned an American millionaire who turned a quiet corner of the New Forest into a battle zone.
Members of Boldre Parish Council are to send a letter of protest to Charles Burnett III over the war games he staged to celebrate his 51st birthday.
A 1930s fighter aircraft repeatedly roared over his home, in Newtown Park, Portmore, in a simulated dive-bombing raid.
More than 20 off-duty soldiers from Marchwood took part in the event, which also involved mock gunfire, fake explosions and battle re-enactments.
Councillors conceded that the controversial event, on June 2, raised more than £26,000 for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal.
However, they decided to write letters of complaint to Mr Burnett, the environmental health department at New Forest District Council and the New Forest National Park Authority.
Full story in today's Daily Echo.
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