VISITORS to next week's Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival are being offered a double incentive to make a �3 donation to the event – savings on a family day out and a trip to the town's annual panto.

To help drum up support for next Thursday's and Friday's aerial spectacular, the Marina Theatre and Pleasurewood Hills are both offering special deals to encourage people to pay the suggested �3 minimum donation.

Anyone who puts at least �3 in a collection bucket will receive a sticker which can then be taken to the Marina Theatre box office to claim a �3 discount for this year's pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.

The panto runs at The Marina from December 12 until January 2, starring pianist Bobby Crush as the dame, Allo' Allo' actor Sue Hodge and Chris Edgerley.

And to show their support for the air show, the producers are offering a discount of �3 on top-priced seats at the majority of performances, including those in Christmas week.

Pantomime producer Paul Holman told The Journal he was pleased the show and theatre could play a part in encouraging people to make donations to an event as important to the town as the air show.

Mr Holman said: 'We are delighted to be able to lend our support to this year's Lowestoft air festival by offering those donating a chance to receive money back on their pantomime tickets.'

In a separate offer, anyone who makes a �3 donation will also receive a two-for-one voucher for Pleasurewood Hills.

As reported in last week's Journal, the suggested minimum donation has risen by a pound from last year to help organisers of the air show meet the event's �300,000 running costs.

Last year, the event made a loss of �39,000 due to bad weather on both days, meaning a 'wet weather contingency fund' was used up.

Paul Bayfield, festival managing director, said: 'We are thrilled the Marina Theatre and its pantomime producers are supporting this year's event with such a generous offer, which will undoubtedly enhance the value to festival goers of their donations.'

Describing the need for everyone to pay �3, Mr Bayfield added: 'Where else can you have such a fantastic family fun day out, with all the attractions and flying displays for only �3 per donation?

'This is all the organising committee are asking for as there is a genuine risk the show may not continue unless enough people put more money in the collecting boxes.'

Next week's show will feature a strong RAF presence with the Red Arrows, a Tornado, a Dakota and two Spitfires from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a BAE Hawk Tucano and Grob Tutor training aircraft and a Sea King search and rescue helicopter which is due take part in an exercise with the Lowestoft lifeboat.

A United States Air Force special operations MC-130P Combat Shadow will also be appearing along with the Blades, Matadors and Wingwalkers display teams.

On the ground there will be funfair rides, music, an Italian market and refreshments.

Anyone who wants to claim a �3 discount for Jack and the Beanstalk must present their air show sticker at the Marina Theatre box office by September 15.

The official souvenir programme for the airshow is now available at �3.50. Copies can be purchased from The Journal office and other local outlets or via www.lowestoftairfestival.co.uk