PICTURES: Tyneham Village where residents never returned

A small coastal village in a rural and picturesque location sounds idyllic, but it was its location that led to its downfall.

Tyneham village and surrounding hamlets were cleared before Christmas 1943 to allow Allied forces to prepare for the D-Day landings.

Despite the promises of Winston Churchill, the residents never returned to the village and surrounding areas.

Since then, Tyneham village has been the source of fascination for several decades and has become a popular tourist spot.

Robert Foster, a photographer who runs the UK Explorer Facebook page, from Poole visited the 'lost village' last week and was "fascinated" by what he saw.

Robert said: "It's so interesting the way it was all preserved.

Picture by UK Explorer

"Sad at the same time though, to think that they left all their lives behind and never got to return.

"The promises that they were told, that they would return to their homes but they never went back."

In autumn 1943, residents received a letter from the Government to vacate their homes and were given just over a month’s notice to leave.

The place was evacuated to make way for US troops practising for the D-Day landings, with tank firing ranges also set up.

More than 200 residents packed up their belongings and left the village.

Picture by Robert Foster, UK Explorer Facebook page

The villagers always thought one day they would be able to return home, as promised by the Government.

Sadly after the war, Tyneham became the permanent property of the Ministry of Defence and continued to be used as part of the Lulworth ranges.

Robert added: "Seeing all the children's names on the school pegs and all their work laid out on display really gives you an idea of how many people sacrificed their homes for the war, it's just fascinating being able to walk around it."