THE Royal Navy will be represented by just one large vessel at this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.

In 2016 the frigate HMS Monmouth, the patrol ship HMS Tyne and the mine hunter HMS Grimsby were included in the navy flotilla - alongside the RFA Argus.

This year the Argus, of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary - the civilian arm of the Royal Navy - will be appearing on her own.

Royal Navy Commodore Jamie Miller, overseeing his last air festival, said: "Due to operational and in-year resource pressures, we have a slight change in the number of ships appearing in the bay.

"Fortunately, the largest and highest profile vessel, the RFA Argus, is still coming to represent the Royal Navy and will play host to a number of cadet and youth acquaints, form the backdrop to the Royal Marines beach demonstration, and act as a landing platform for the Merlin helicopter.

"As is the Royal Marines motto, we have had to adapt and overcome this change and we are delighted to be supporting the air festival with Royal Marine Band of HMS Collingwood performing a band concert and beating retreats, unarmed combat displays by the commando recruiting troop, the weapons displays at the naval village and a beach demonstration by Viking armoured fighting vehicles, Merlin helicopter and Hawk fast jets.

"The air festival remains the biggest civil participation event for the Royal Navy."