Air show grounded days before planned lift-off

The show had been expected to feature a flypast by Supermarine Spitfires

An air show has been grounded mere days before it was planned to take place.

The Abingdon Air and Country Show had been due to be held on 18 May.

But organisers said unexpected correspondence from the Ministry of Defence had forced them to postpone the event.

They added that they are hoping to re-arrange the show for later in the year.

In a statement, organisers said: "Due to exceptional circumstances well beyond our control sadly our 2024 event being held on Saturday 18th May is postponed."

"There is ongoing Ministry of Defence 'correspondence' that cannot be resolved in the timescale to the Air & Country Show."

"However positive steps from the Ministry of Defence are being taken to resolve it in good time to allow us to re-stage an event much later in the year."

The show had been expected to feature flypasts by Supermarine Spitfires and Hawker Hurricanes.

A display from the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team - who are based at RAF Brize Norton, near Witney - had also been scheduled to take place.

"We are sorry for the news but the committee and core volunteers are looking forward to seeing you soon with the new date to be announced once known," the statement from organisers added.