ANYONE tempted to fly their drone at this year's Bournemouth Air Festival have been warned they could face prosecution.

Drones or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are banned from the event, and strictly not allowed to be flown at the site.

Pilots are being told not to bring them to the festival.

And organisers are also warning that it is against the law for any of these aircraft to be flown within the restricted airspace that is established during the Air Festival.

This is to protect participating aircraft and display teams.

If drones are found flying in the dedicated air space, organisers say they are under 'strict rules to cancel the flying display programme'.

And they say drone users will be prosecuted.

Jon Weaver, Air Festival director said: "The rule with flying drones at the Air Festival is simple – it is illegal, they are not allowed.

"The restricted airspace is strictly for participating aircraft and display teams. Anyone spotted with a drone will be reported to both security and police and anyone caught flying one will be liable to prosecution by the Civil Aviation Authority."

Last month, flights from Gatwick were diverted to Bournemouth Airport after a drone was spotted in the vicinity of the airfield.

If police are able to trace a drone user, he or she could be liable for the cost of disruption, as well as criminal prosecution.

Endangering the safety of a plane with a drone is a criminal offence punishable with up to five years in prison.

The Civil Aviation Authority's 'Drone Code' says users must not fly their remote-controlled aerial devices near airports or airfields, or close to aircraft.

The number of near misses involving drones and aeroplanes quadrupled between 2015 and 2016, according to a report by the UK Airprox Board last year.