Air Show A Success - Despite The Weather

Tens of thousands of people still flocked to Bournemouth over the weekend, even though many displays had to be cancelled.

Despite the rain and low cloud, air Festival enthusiasts still lined Bournemouth’s seafront over the weekend.

On Saturday, Lt Becky Frater, one of the Black Cat helicopter pilots, wowed the crowd with some amazing stunts as well as a sea assault performed by the Royal Marines, but unfortunately the rain forced the rest of the programme to be cancelled.

It was a similar story on Sunday, but the weather was slightly better and some displays did manage to go ahead later in the day, including the Red Bull Matadors, the Pitts Duo and CAP232.

The Red Arrows were unable to fly on either day.

As a result of the rain, hundreds of children mobbed the Red Arrows, King Air, Tigers and Hawk pilots for autographs, an experience they described as unforgettable.

In spite of the rain, the seafront was packed with stalls, food outlets, and a variety of family entertainment which helped ease some of the spectator’s disappointment.

Visitor figures for Saturday at one o’clock were estimated to be 254,000 people.

Meanwhile it's been confirmed that the Bournemouth Air festival will go ahead for the next three years. The dates for 2011 are August 18th -21st.