The moment a massive plane landed on a Welsh beach

Several people have reported seeing huge military aircraft flying over Carmarthenshire this week.

And one of the aircraft spotted was the Royal Air Force's impressive A400M Atlas, which landed on and took off from Pembrey Sands on Thursday morning, July 2.

The plane has four engines and is typically used for transporting heavy cargo and troops.

It was at the beach carrying out routine training, including landing on rough terrain.

Keen photographer and former RAF engineer, Alastair McMurdo, saw the plane at Pembrey Sands at around 10.30am and explained why crews train in this way.

The A400M from RAF Brize Norton was conducting routine crew training (Alastair Mcmurdo)

The plane was seen on Pembrey Sands (Alastair Mcmurdo)

Rough surfaces, like beaches, are often used in training (Alastair Mcmurdo)

The aircraft weighs nearly 80 tonnes according to Mr Mcmurdo (Alastair Mcmurdo)

"The aircraft, operated by 206 squadron based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, spent the morning performing tactical landings on a rough strip prepared by RAF ground crews," said the 37-year-old.

"This enables the crews to train for operating from austere landing strips throughout the world, not just in a war-fighting capacity but also during humanitarian relief operations.

"The plane weighs around 76 tonnes. It's easier to land planes on flat surfaces, but when it is needed, there isn't always the option of landing somewhere flat. It's much harder to land on sand, so they often practice on beaches."

At around 4.30pm on the same day, an RAF Chinook helicopter was spotted a few miles away at Pen-y-Mynydd.

Local resident, Gareth Thomas, 41, said it was "brilliant" to see the aircraft so close up.

The Chinook seen at Pen-y-Mynydd (Gareth Thomas)

Mr Thomas couldn't believe how close it was (Gareth Thomas)

Mr Thomas described it as 'brilliant' (Gareth Thomas)

"I was in my back garden letting the dog out for a run when I saw it, it was an amazing sight to see," he said.

"I heard it coming and when I looked over, I couldn't believe how low it was, so I took a few snaps. At one point, it was right over me.

"It was there for a little while, then went towards Burry Port.

"It was brilliant to see, I wish they could come every day."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The A400M from RAF Brize Norton was conducting routine crew training, beach or rough strip landings being one of their core roles. More info is available on RAF Brize Norton social media.

"The Chinook from RAF Odiham was likewise conducting routine operational pre-deployment training."