INCREDIBLE aerial photographs have been captured of Runcorn’s ancient Norton Priory Museum and Gardens.

It is the first time a bird’s eye view of the 800-year monastic site has been recorded.

The museum has teamed up with a new business at neighbouring Daresbury Innovation Campus.

Suave aerial enterprise took the images using a tiny unmanned helicopter.

Lynn Smith, senior keeper at Norton Priory, said: “The photos Suave Enterprises have taken have given us a really fascinating new perspective on the historic landscape.

“You can really understand the layout of the medieval buildings and pick out the cross shape of the church.

“Even the unusual shape of the Georgian Walled Garden can be clearly seen.

“This gives a really good record of the site as well as helping us to interpret the area for our visitors.”

Suave uses high tech remote control helicopters capable of capturing imaging data from varied perspectives.

Pictured: A bird’s eye view of the 800-year-old monastic site at Norton Priory