SATURDAY'S much anticipated appearance by the Vulcan XH558 at the Bournemouth Air Festival has been cancelled after technicians were not available to inspect repairs carried out to the plane.

After the vintage bomber's last flight on Friday August 22, it was discovered that the XH588 had suffered failure of the retraction mechanism for one of its landing gear doors.

Although the repair was a relatively simple one and was completed, technicians required to inspect it are not available until Monday said the Vulcan team today.

A council spokesperson said: "We are really disappointed that the Vulcan can't be here and we look forward to welcoming it to Bournemouth at the earliest opportunity."