The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is soon to announce the sale of the Harrier jump jet kept at the Surbiton air cadet headquarters, the Surrey Comet can reveal.

The iconic Harrier GR3, which arrived back in the borough in 2005 and is believed to have seen service in the Falklands War, was put up for sale last month.

Officials said in July the jet had to be removed from its home in 1034 Squadron's Tolworth headquarters due to health and safety fears over its "rapidly deteriorating condition".

But cadets past and present reacted with anger and sadness - with one calling the decision "a crime" because of the jet's sentimental and training value.

A tender notice sent out by the MoD described the condition of the jet.

It said: "The airframe is old and shows some signs of weather-induced wear.

"Although the structure of the aircraft doesn’t present an immediate health and safety hazard, the full structural integrity of the airframe is not known.

"The engine may contain residual radioactive materials."

The ministry set a reserve price on the sale, the document shows, and tenderers were asked to demonstrate how they would transport, dismantle or remove the aircraft.

The Surrey Comet understands several interested parties viewed the jet at a session on Monday, November 24. Its buyer remains unknown.

A ministry spokeswoman said: "The Surbiton Harrier is still being dealt with by the Defence Disposal Services Authority and we’ll be notified in due course once the Harrier has formally been transferred to a new owner."