The seventh Bournemouth Air Festival gets under way today, with four days of flying and much more on the cards.

For the first time ever, the Red Arrows will be displaying on all four days of the event, which runs until Sunday, and there are some new treats for flying fans.

Among the highlights will be the appearance of the Canadian Lancaster, which will fly with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on Saturday and Sunday as part of a summer tour, having arrived from Canada earlier this month.

It means that the world’s only two airworthy WW2 Lancaster bombers will take to the skies together in a sight not to be missed.

The crowd-pleasing Vulcan is due to fly on Saturday, while the speed and noise will come from the Typhoon and Hunter jet Miss Demeanour.

The festival is due to be opened today by 94-year-old wingwalker Tom Lackey – another first for the event – while The Blades will perform their gravity-defying aerobatics during the evening displays for the first time.

As always, the event will be the biggest of the year for the Royal Navy, which will also use it for training.

The Navy will have a flotilla in the bay, while its aircraft will include the Black Cats helicopter team and the Merlin helicopter.

The Royal Marines will also put on their dramatic amphibious assault, using ships, landing craft and helicopters.

The RAF will be there in force – alongside the Red Arrows and Typhoon there will be the Tutor and Tucano training aircraft and the Chinook helicopter, while the Army brings its Lynx helicopter and will be giving out recruitment information on the seafront.

There is plenty more taking to the skies and there will also be lots on the ground along the sea front and in the gardens, while the HM Royal Marines Band will perform Beat Retreat on the East Overcliff.

Night Air once again promises atmospheric displays, this year including The Blades, a Spitfire, a Twister aircraft and O’Brien’s Flying Circus, while there are concerts on the beach and entertainment in the gardens.