THE Red Arrows will grace the skies of Bournemouth this summer, despite reports their future may be under threat.

Sunday newspaper stories suggested the Arrows’ no-show at last month’s Royal Wedding could mean they are set for the chop in the defence cuts.

The RAF team’s displays have become the centrepiece of the Bournemouth Air Festival and their absence would be a severe blow to the August event.

But the RAF said the pilots were currently engaged in essential training and would be honouring all their commitments this summer.

“Before mandatory training is completed, the Red Arrows are not permitted to undertake any public flying displays,” said Air Vice-Marshal Barry North, the RAF’s assistant chief of air staff.

Jon Weaver, Bournemouth Air Festival director said he was “delighted” to be welcoming back the display team for 2011.

The Red Arrows cost almost £9 million a year to run and they perform around 80 displays each summer.

With the Ministry of Defence searching for £1 billion of savings this year, the Reds have been mentioned as one possible sacrifice.

However, the affection with which the planes are held led one Whitehall source to describe culling them as “a high-pain option, politically”.

Terry Trevett, from the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association, said he was in no doubt the team would be performing in the Bournemouth skies in August.

“The Red Arrows are some of the finest ambassadors this country has ever had,” he said.

“I am sure they will be here in August showing us why they are the pride of Britain.”

The Royal Wedding fly-past was conducted by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and Tornado and Typhoon aircraft in the Reds’ absence.

• The Bournemouth Red Arrows Association will take on the Bournemouth Aero Club as part of a charity skittles night on June 2.

The event will take place at the Cobham sports and social club from 7pm and cheque presentations will be made to Macmillan Cancer.

For tickets call Terry Trevett on 01202 876530.