ORGANISERS of the Lowestoft airshow this week issued an invitation to young people to get involved in this year's event by launching a new educational initiative aimed at local schools and colleges.

Plans are already well under way for this year's seafront spectacular which, for the first time in its history, will be taking place over a weekend – on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24.

Keen to involve young people in the build-up to the event, they have decided to launch its first educational project – Flights of Fancy – and they are hoping to connect with students across Lowestoft and Waveney.

'For the past 15 years a generation of schoolchildren have grown up with the Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival being one of the main highlights of their summer seaside entertainment,' an airshow spokesman said.

'But how many of them know what goes on behind the scenes to make the annual spectacle a reality?'

It was this thought that inspired the organisers to invite youngsters to get involved with this year's show.

Paul Bayfield, managing director of the airshow, said he recently met a group of students to discuss the event and, while working with them, the idea of getting young people involved in the preparations was spawned.

Mr Bayfield told The Journal: 'We saw the opportunity for the youngsters to engage in all aspects of aviation – past, present and future whilst also experiencing event planning.

'As well as incorporating their ideas into the event, there is potential to exhibit the results of their work in a marquee, which could also be a focus of any performances that they produce.'

Schools, colleges and performing arts groups across Waveney are now being encouraged to become involved in working with the air festival by registering their interest with the organisers.

Mr Bayfield added: 'This is the start of a collaborative co-operation with teachers, pupils and students which could tap into their creativity and be another significant step in the development of the airshow.

'There are opportunities for visits to school assemblies by experienced airshow personnel as well as scope for videos to be made, which could be shown on the air festival website as well as in the presentation of work marquee.

'We believe this will be a major first combining community and young people in the annual festival.'

Schools and colleges that wish to register their interest in Flights of Fancy or get further information on the initiative, should contact Mike Holroyd via e-mail lowquest@aol.com or ring 01502 562364.

For more information on the airshow, visit www.lowestoftairfestival.co.uk