WORLD-class aerobatic team The Blades will perform during the Bournemouth Air Festival's dusk display for the first time this year.

Alongside O'Briens Flying Circus with a Solo Twister, Rolls Royce Spitfire and The Red Devils Parachute Team, The Blades will be performing two sunset displays as part of the extended Night Air programme on Friday and Saturday nights.

Blades team leader and Blade 1 Mark Cutmore said: “We are thrilled to be invited back to Bournemouth and given the opportunity to perform in the Night Air dusk displays.

“It has been amazing to watch the event grow each year and even better to be part of it.”

How much do you know about The Blades? brush up on your knowledge and see pictures of them in action 

The Blades will also be performing on Sunday afternoon, giving everyone plenty of opportunity to see these festival favourites take to the skies.

The Night Air programme, sponsored by Corona, features three nights of entertainment until 10pm with live music, Royal Navy and Royal Marine action on the East Overcliff, street entertainers in the Lower Gardens, music in the Bandstand and fireworks.

TheWave105 stage at Boscombe Pier will be back hosting a line-up of incredible music including Rizzle Kicks, Rixton, Loveable Rogues, Alexa Goddard and Sigma on Friday night, and Tony Hadley, Sophie Ellis Bextor, The Struts, Jack Savoretti and Nell Bryden on Saturday night.

Finishing the Night Air entertainment will be the famous firework displays on Thursday and Friday and beach pyrotechnics, after the dusk displays, on Friday and Saturday.

The air festival brochure is now on sale and is available from Daily Echo offices, shops around the area and the Bournemouth Tourism Information Centre in advance and around the festival site over the event - which takes place between August 28-31.

The Daily Echo's book celebrating the first five years of the festival is also still on sale. Visit bournemouthecho.co.uk/books and follow the links, or call the subscriptions department on 01305 830924 to order by credit or debit card.

Read more in our air festival section online at bournemouthecho.co.uk/air or, if using a mobile device, visit bit.ly/bmthair.