Red Arrows dedicated heart to pilot's watching mum

Claire Thoms was the only Red Arrows family member to watch the display in Guernsey this year

The Red Arrows dedicated a heart they created in the sky during their display in Guernsey, to one of the pilot’s mothers who had travelled to the island to watch.

Claire Thoms was the only Red Arrows family member to watch the display in Guernsey on Thursday.

Her son, Flt Lt Dustin Wales, is pilot Red 3 with the Royal Air Force aerobatic team.

When asked how it felt to have the heart dedicated to her, Claire Thoms said: "Absolutely unbelievable - tears are coming to my eyes as we speak about it. It's just amazing."

The heart display that was dedicated to Red 3's mum

Ms Thoms said it is "very scary" watching her son fly in the Red Arrows and she had to watch through her hands.

It is the first year Mr Wales has flown in the Red Arrows, but he has served in the RAF since the age of 21.

Ms Thoms recalled him naming planes from a young age and, after seeing the Red Arrows at the age of five, he said he wanted to be one.

The 2024 annual air display saw debuts for several aircraft - including the French military's Mustang X-Ray/PC-21 team and the Navy Wings’ Swordfish.

The display was one of the first to include the Red Arrows flying sequence for 2024, which marks the squadron's 60th season.