THE family of Red Arrow pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging, who was tragically killed during last year’s Bournemouth Air Festival, have chosen an artist to create a memorial in his name.

Artist and designer Tim Ward was selected from a shortlist of three and will produce a memorial for Bournemouth’s East Overcliff, by the entrance to the East Cliff lift.

He has pledged to work with Bournemouth schoolchildren to produce the piece and local schools now have until February 8 to send pupils’ designs in to the council. Jon’s widow, Dr Emma Egging, said: “I am delighted that Tim Ward will be our artist for Jon’s memorial creation.

“The vibrancy of his work and his colourful outlook reflects Jon’s approach to life.

“We are excited to see how the plans evolve with Tim working alongside the young people, whose designs will shape this important memorial.”

Tim said he was “thrilled and excited” to have been chosen.

“I look forward to working with them and with Bournemouth to produce a piece that we can all be proud of,” he said.

“In particular, I will enjoy the inspiration I will get from working with Bournemouth’s young people to interpret their winning design or designs and involve them in the creation of the memorial.

“It’s important that they can recognise their work in the final piece of artwork.”

Emma and Jon’s mother Dawn, with input from Red Arrow pilots, will choose the picture they would like Tim to use in the memorial.

Tim’s memorial should be ready in time for this year’s air festival, which runs from August 30 to September 2.