THESE three Bell Boeing V-22 Ospreys were spotted flying over Whiteshill on Monday ahead of the expected arrival at RAF Fairford of US president Barack Obama.

The photo was taken by SNJ reader Steve Price.

On Monday, several aircraft from an elite US marines unit, which are used to support presidential movement, were spotted flying over the Stroud area.

Among them were an MV-22 aircraft and two VH60N Nighthawk helicopters.

They created much excitement when they were spotted flying over the town, in what is understood to be familiarisation missions from Fairford to Cardiff.

A police convoy, thought to be linked to the NATO summit was spotted travelling through the Cotswolds on Monday.

Motorcycle outriders and riot vans were seen escorting 4x4s with blacked out windows through Tetbury and Cirencester.

People on social media sites Facebook and Twitter reported they had to stop for the procession as it drove through the area.

At the time Gloucestershire Police said they did not know who was bring transported in the vehicles but that officers were providing support as the convoy made its way through the region.

The NATO summit, which begins tomorrow, Thursday, will be the largest gathering of international leaders ever to take place in Britain.

Among those expected to attend are President Obama, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande, as well as leaders and senior ministers from around 60 other countries.

One of the main topics up for discussion is the escalating crisis in Ukraine and tightened sanctions against Russia.