SIX old stables in Aldbourne that housed American soldiers during the Second World War are about to be flown across the Atlantic.

The 80-year-old rickety, tin-roofed stables are to be rebuilt at Taccoa, Georgia, home of the legendary 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne, whose members were billeted in the village as they prepared to take part in the invasion of Europe.

In Georgia they will become a lasting tribute to the men of Easy Company, who were depicted in Stephen Spielberg's TV series, Band of Brothers.

Veterans jumped at the chance to turn the stables, that stood near the Blue Boar pub, into a permanent memorial when they heard that the owner Mike Stedman no longer had any use for them.

The buildings have been carefully dismantled by local tradesman Sowerby and Son and transported to RAF Brize Norton, where they remain in storage until room can be found on a US troop plane to fly them to the US.

Mr Stedman said: "It seems they could be on their way any time. I will be relieved when they go. A lot of hard work has gone into the project."