THE navy was stopped from using their landing craft during the Bournemouth Air Festival because they didn't have the right certificate.

They had to pay to charter civilian boats to do the job instead - and unlike on the navy craft, lifebelts were not compulsory.

Charlie Hobson from the Royal Marine Association said: "It just strikes me as triumph of bureaucracy over common sense."

The navy's landing craft had been used for several trips out to the RFA Mounts Bay at the start of the festival when the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) stepped in.

The MCA told the Royal Fleet Auxiliary the landing craft lacked MGN 280 - the right certificate for commercial boats carrying less than 12 people.

The RFA then had to charter two boats so people could enjoy free tours they'd been promised after queuing at the Sea Cadet stand.

Mr Hobson said: "I'm very sympathetic to both sides but it's a great shame the public didn't have the fun of riding in a landing craft. This needs sorting out."

The navy said afterwards that similar landing craft are regularly used for transporting "large numbers of personnel" and that it acted after talks with the MCA.

A spokesman for the MCA said: "Vessels operated by the Ministry of Defence are designed to meet operational needs.

"Arrangements for certain types of military craft to be certificated are being considered in a programme with the MOD."

The MCA did not answer questions on whether anyone had complained.

Jon Weaver, Air Festival director, said hundreds of people enjoyed the trips despite the short delay during the changeover between vessels.