Crowds turn out for Jersey air show

Spectators look to the skies during the Jersey International Air Display

Crowds turned out under blue skies to watch the Jersey International Air Display on Thursday.

The free four-hour air show took place over St Aubins' Bay and included displays by the RAF Falcons parachute display team, a Fairey Swordfish biplane and a PBY Catalina flying boat.

The event was at risk of being cancelled as recently as a month ago, according to organisers, but was saved thanks to donations from islanders and local companies.

Mike Higgins, the event organiser, said he was "eternally grateful" for more than £30,000 of donations, as well as corporate sponsorship, which meant the event could go ahead as planned.

As well as financial struggles, organisers had to cope with several aircraft dropping out of the event at short notice, including a Saab J37 Viggen fighter jet which pulled out this week because of "operational challenges".

Two aircraft, a Yak 3 and a Breguet Alize, were forced to pull out on Wednesday because of "weather conditions", organisers said.