NEXT year’s Bournemouth Air Festival could see extended displays as part of a ‘celebratory’ programme of events.

The air festival - due to be held for the 10th time in 2017 - may feature a display that goes on from the afternoon into the evening on the event’s first day, Thursday, August 31.

Around 702,000 people turned out for this year’s festival despite poor weather on the Friday and Saturday.

Speaking at a meeting of Bournemouth council’s economy and tourism overview and scrutiny panel on Tuesday, October 11, air festival director Jon Weaver said the festival brings around £30 million into the town.

“The 10th air festival will take place in 2017 and celebration planning has commenced,” he said.

“We want to create something very different.”

He said organisers are already bidding for visits from the French and Swiss forces.

Air festival patrons are also hoping to set up a charity to raise funds for the annual event.

Mr Weaver also spoke about the challenges which faced this year’s festival, including the East Cliff landslip in April, which severely damaged the cliff lift, public toilets and cafe.

In addition, there were security fears following July’s terrorism attack in Nice, in which 86 people were killed.

Organisers also had to comply with new Civil Aviation Authority restrictions after the Shoreham Air Show disaster in 2015.

Eleven people were killed and 16 injured when a vintage jet aircraft crashed during a display.

“Every year, we are facing new challenges,” Mr Weaver said.

He thanked the Red Arrows for changing the time of their display on the Saturday from afternoon to early evening, calling it “unique”.

“When they commit to a time, that’s it - Bournemouth Airport has to be completely closed,” he said.

“What they did for Bournemouth was incredible.”

Mark Smith, director of tourism and corporate communications said the air festival is “in the DNA of Bournemouth and people here”.

“It really is fantastic, and the whole town has got behind this event,” he said.

“It gives you that buzz.”

Councillor Phil Stanley-Watts asked for more events in the Boscombe area as part of the air show.

“I’d like to see more there, such as military displays or attractions,” he said.

“The festival gets better every year.”