THEY'RE back.

The Red Arrows stormed into town on Friday in the first of three consecutive displays for the Bournemouth Air Festival.

The team performed a breathtaking display in front of more than 200,000 spectators who had lined the beach and cliff tops from Southbourne to West Cliff.

Hundreds of boats were anchored up in the bay between the two piers making an impressive sight, especially against the backdrop of RFA Mounts Bay.

The Red Arrows display began with a commemorative flypast with their former lead aircraft, a Folland Gnat which has been painstakingly restored.

The Arrows then launched into their fantastic display, proving to the thousands of onlookers why they are the best in the world.

Jon Weaver, air festival director, said: "Day two has gone even better that day one! There were over 600 boats viewing from the sea and in excess of 200,000 people on the beach and cliffs from Southbourne to West Cliff.

We can't wait for day three which brings another spectacular line-up including the Red Arrows, Yakovlevs, Blue Eagles and Sea Vixen."

The one disappointment for the festival organisers was the cancellation on Friday of the much-anticipated Vulcan bomber. The Vulcan team said although technical problems with the undercarriage which arose earlier in the week had been fixed, no one was available to certify the repairs and clear the plane for the display at Bournemouth on Saturday and Shoreham on Sunday.

A council spokesman said: "We are really disappointed, as we know many people are, but we are really looking forward welcoming the Vulcan to Bournemouth soon."

The crowds cheered and clapped as the Red Arrows performed.

Vicky Green from Oakdale said: "It was absolutely brilliant but then again they always are, they never let us down."The idea of an air festival is superb, we have had a great time."

John Cross from Poole said: "It's fantastic, I simply can't believe how many people are here."

Visitor Lawrence McNulty from Wokingham, who was here with his family, said: "We are here for a weeks holiday. We didn't plan it around the air festival but it is a wonderful bonus for us."

  • More pictures in today's air festval 12-page supplement