WHILE all eyes may be firmly fixed upon the skies, there will be plenty to keep the thousands of visitors to this year's air show entertained today and tomorrow (Thursday/Friday).

Two full days of activities start from 10am each morning and in addition to the flying displays there will be plenty of other entertainment on the ground. These include funfair rides, an indoor play area for children, flight simulators, giant inflatables and large walk on water balls together with a beer tent and wide variety of market stalls. Military careers teams will also have a presence to answer question and give advice

For the first time at the Air Festival there will be an Italian Market on the forecourt of Notleys public house. The market will have on offer a range of Italian food, offering a taste of the Mediterranean.

The market traders will be bringing a vast selection of Italian biscuits, from the well known Cantuccini cookies which are large dry and crunchy almond biscuits, to Sfoglie, clam-shaped pastries made with puff pastry dough folded over and filled with an assortment of delicious contents.

There will also be selling a range of nuts and dried fruits, and of course olives, which Italians love. Confectionery will also feature strongly with many types of sweets on sale, as well as all sorts of flavoured nougats.

Lovers of hot food may be puzzled to find Paella on sale but the market organiser said that although not Italian in its origins, it is much appreciated and requested at their market.

On the seafront, in front of Wellington Gardens, volunteers will be busy selling tickets to visitors, offering an opportunity to win a brand new Ford Fiesta, supplied by Hammonds of Halesworth, for just a �1. All profits will go to the air festival so even if not the lucky winner; the purchase will still be helping the Airshow.

Friends of Lowestoft Air Festival will also gather at an exclusive 'Friends Area 'on the Putting Green this year to watch the flying displays and to enjoy the friendship of likeminded supporters.

This is just one of the benefits they receive for joining the 'Friends' scheme which has now been running for a number of years and has provided a very worthwhile income to the Airshow. Other rewards that members receive include being the first to receive Airshow news via a special page on the event website, to have a copy of the souvenir programme posted to them shortly after it has been printed and also to be given button badges to acknowledge their support to the Airshow.

For �12 per individual or �35 for family membership - anyone can become a Friend of the Air Festival and membership forms can be found in the programme or at the red seafront merchandise kiosks.