Mark BoggisTHE organisers of the Lowestoft airshow are issuing a rallying cry today as thousands of people converge on the town - please dig deep to keep us flying! The Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival is once again expected to draw huge crowds to the beach and promenade to enjoy two days of spectacular aerial displays.Mark Boggis

THE organisers of the Lowestoft airshow are issuing a rallying cry today as thousands of people converge on the town - please dig deep to keep us flying!

The Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival is once again expected to draw huge crowds to the beach and promenade to enjoy two days of spectacular aerial displays.

But the three volunteer directors are warning that the future of the free event - which generates a massive income for the town - could be in doubt if people do not support it.

Bucket collectors will once again be out and about on the seafront, urging people to give a minimum �2 donation towards the cost of the event, which is run by a not-for-profit trust.

Paul Bayfield, managing director of the Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival, called on all visitors to dig deep to ensure 'this wonderful community event' continues in the future.

'We operate as a social enterprise, and on a non-profit basis, and by putting your money into our buckets you can make sure that East Anglia's largest event will continue,' Mr Bayfield said.

'The annual call for a donation towards the huge cost of running the event seems to have been understood by the majority of our visitors last year and it is because of them that we can do it all over again this year. I am sure we will get the support from everyone again this year as I cannot think of any better value anywhere than just a minimum �2 donation for a complete day out.'

Last year's bucket collections raised nearly �119,000 - up more than �81,000 from 2008 - and organisers are hopeful of topping that this year. However, they expressed disappointment this week after a plea to seafront businesses for more support produced little response.

All eyes will be on the skies as the Tigers parachute team start the show in style at about 12.10pm today, as the first of more than 20 displays lasting four and half hours. The Red Arrows - who are once again appearing on both days - are scheduled to bring the event to a close today (Thursday) before opening the show on Friday.