Lift off for popular airshow

Thousands of people are expected to line the beach and promenade in Lowestoft today for the start of the town's Seafront Air Festival.

Favourites including the Vulcan bomber and the Red Arrows, plus new displays such as the Red Bull Matadors, are due to take to the skies.

Hopes were high last night that the forecast of sunny intervals would involve very long intervals and the predicted showers would hold off until the evening.

Paul Bayfield, managing director of the charitable trust which organises the festival, said: “We know that the British people are used to dealing with the English climate. As they always say, if you don't like English weather, wait a minute and it will change.

“We're very hopeful that the weather will be kind to us. Generally, we are very lucky. The coast seems to have its own little eco system.

“We've got our fingers crossed that we will have fine sunshine with minimal showers.”

Mr Bayfield revealed his picks from today's packed programme.

“I love the Red Arrows, I love the Vulcan, but the one I am personally looking forward to seeing are the Red Bull pair.

“Paul Bonhomme is the current world Red Bull Air Race champion, I've heard their display is really, really something. It's even more awesome when you think that their proper jobs are flying 747s.

“But there are so many other highlights.”

The volunteers behind the two-day event have continued to urge people to give a minimum �2 donation towards costs, and will have plenty of bucket collectors out along the beach today.

Mr Bayfield said that his excitement about the festival, which continues tomorrow, was “tinged with a great deal of apprehension” about the weather and the donations needed from people who enjoy the show.

He added: “It's very difficult to

keep going on about it but if the public support us as a community event, we will have enough to do it all