An iconic blimp will be visible in the London skyline for the first time in a decade this week.

The Goodyear Blimp will be flying over the county as it returns to the UK for its first visit in 10 years.

The blimps have become a well-known sight in the skies at sporting and cultural events.

TV companies often use them to get spectacular aerial shots.

In the past decade they have flown over the US, Brazil and China.

This Is Local London: The Goodyear BlimpThe Goodyear Blimp

Goodyear originally made airships for the US Navy but switched them for advertising when it concentrated on manufacturing tyres.

Here's what we know about the latest visit: 

What: For the first time in over 10 years, the iconic Goodyear Blimp is returning to the UK, and will fly over Kent on its journey from Calais.

The Goodyear Blimp is known throughout the world for its aerial coverage of the most-watched events in sports and entertainment, ranging from FA Cup Finals at Wembley to Live Aid.

When: Weather permitting, the Goodyear Blimp will arrive in the UK over Folkestone on the mornings of the 26th, 27th, 29th and 30th June, before flying further inland.

The flightpath will take it over Dover, Maidstone and Dartford, though it will also pass near Ashford. These flyovers are expected to take place late-morning, though an exact time cannot be specified.

Why: The Goodyear Blimp is returning to the UK for the first time in over 10 years, to act as an aerial ambassador for Goodyear.

It will fly over Brands Hatch on 26th and 27th June, where it will provide aerial footage of the BTCC race taking place, and over central London on 29th and 30th June.This Is Local London: • A map of the landmarks that the Goodyear Blimp is hoping to fly over whilst in London• A map of the landmarks that the Goodyear Blimp is hoping to fly over whilst in London

Trivia: The Goodyear Blimp operating in the UK will be a Goodyear-branded, Zeppelin NT airship, operated by Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH of Friedrichshafen, Germany. This appearance is part of the latest chapter in a nearly 100-year relationship between Goodyear and Zeppelin.

The semi-rigid Zeppelin NT airship measures over 75m in length and almost 18m in height.

More commonly seen flying in the United States at major sporting events including NASCAR races, NBA games and PGA golf events, the Goodyear Blimp is a UK icon in its own right.

It made its first European flight over Cardington, England, in June 1972, and has since appeared at a number of prominent sporting and cultural events, including the 1980 FA Cup Final at Wembley, Live Aid in 1985 and even two royal weddings.