Dig deep for the air show

Organisers of the Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival are hoping that more people will become Friends of the event to help cover its costs.The two-day festival costs about �300,000 a year to put on, but sponsorship and the support of the public is vital to secure the future of the popular attraction.

Organisers of the Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival are hoping that more people will become Friends of the event to help cover its costs.

The two-day festival costs about �300,000 a year to put on, but sponsorship and the support of the public is vital to secure the future of the popular attraction.

Hundreds of individuals and local families have already signed up to become Friends of the festival, but it is hoped that more local people will help to make sure that the festival - which takes place for the 14th time on August 12 and 13 - can continue.

Sponsorship last year dropped due to the recession, and the shortfall was only made up by the �120,000 collected in buckets on the seafront during the event.

Festival managing director Paul Bayfield said that the money from sponsors and traders' sites only makes up part of the cost of staging the event. 'Continued support from the public is vital,' he said.

This year's programme looks set to include the Red Arrows, the world's only Vulcan Bomber and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, as well as aerobatic displays and entertainment on the seafront.

For information on how to become a Friend, visit www.lowestoftairfestival.co.uk.