THE Red Arrows, daredevil wing-walking and a Battle of Britain memorial display will all be highlights at the seventh Bournemouth Air Festival.

Today is the start of the annual event, which will see all eyes on the skies this weekend.

For the first time ever, the Red Arrows will be displaying on all four days of the event, which runs until Sunday, and there are some new treats for flying fans.

Among the highlights will be the appearance of the Canadian Lancaster, which will fly with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on Saturday and Sunday as part of a summer tour, having arrived from Canada earlier this month.

Today Wing walking 94-year-old Tom Lackey will start the flying at 1.30pm and the Red Arrows will fly at 3.15pm.

At the moment the weather forecast is good enough to allow for full aerobatic displays.

The crowd-pleasing Vulcan is due to fly on Saturday, while the speed and noise will come from the Typhoon and Hunter jet Miss Demeanour.

As always, the event will be the biggest of the year for the Royal Navy, which will also use it for training.

The Navy will have a flotilla in the bay, while its aircraft will include the Black Cats helicopter team and the Merlin helicopter.

The Royal Marines will also put on their dramatic amphibious assault, using ships, landing craft and helicopters.

The RAF will be there in force – alongside the Red Arrows and Typhoon there will be the Tutor and Tucano training aircraft and the Chinook helicopter, while the Army brings its Lynx helicopter and will be giving out recruitment information on the seafront.

There is plenty more taking to the skies and there will also be lots on the ground along the sea front and in the gardens, while the HM Royal Marines Band will perform Beat Retreat on the East Overcliff.

Night Air once again promises atmospheric displays, this year including The Blades, a Spitfire, a Twister aircraft and O’Brien’s Flying Circus, while there are concerts on the beach and entertainment in the gardens.