The RAF Typhoon will be returning to the Bournemouth Air Festival this year.

The popular air display team will be taking part in the event for the first time since 2016.

The Typhoon, which is a big favourite for its ear-splitting routine, will be taking to the skies on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the festival, now in its 12th year.

For aviation fans, the Typhoon's return might make up for the news that headliners the Red Arrows will not be returning for this year's festival.

The fast jet team will be holding their largest ever tour of North America this summer.

Flying Officer William Ames, Typhoon display manager, said: “Flt Lt Peterson, the 2019 Typhoon display pilot, has described the Eurofighter Typhoon as being a ‘dream to fly’ and looks forward to sharing that dream with you at Bournemouth Air Festival.

"This year’s Typhoon display is bound to impress; watch on in awe as he pulls up to nine ‘G’ and reaches speeds of 600 nautical miles per hour. The whole Typhoon display team eagerly anticipates meeting you all.”

Jon Weaver, festival director, said: “This RAF Typhoon news is just the first of many exciting and diverse headliner announcements to come over the next few weeks. We are extremely pleased with the programme we are pulling together for this year and are confident that the 2019 Air Festival will be one to remember.”

The festival takes place Thursday, August 29, to Sunday, September 1.

The popular annual event is the largest free public festival in the country and attracted more than one million visitors to the town last year, according to tourism chiefs.