Bob Jones: Welshpool Air Show renamed in his memory

Bob Jones developed Mid Wales Airport from a grass strip in 1990

An air show is to be renamed in memory of a pilot and airport owner who was killed in a plane crash last month.

Bob Jones, 60, who founded Mid Wales Airport in Welshpool, died on nearby Long Mountain along with Steven Carr, 55, from Ruthin, Denbighshire.

Welshpool Air Show is held annually at the airport, but is being renamed the Bob Jones Memorial Air Show in tribute.

The Red Arrows and the RAF's parachute display team, The Falcons, are pencilled in for the event on 17 June.

Organisers, including Mr Jones's widow Linda, met a representative from the RAF in Welshpool on Thursday night to discuss plans for the air show.

"The committee unanimously agreed that the air show will go ahead," said Dr John Morgan, Welshpool town councillor and one of the organisers.

"They also agreed that it will now be called the Bob Jones Memorial Air Show."

The event started five years ago and regularly attracts up to 5,000 visitors.

The RAF said it was pleased once again to support the air show.

"We realise that the people of mid Wales put up with a lot of our training in the area and this is a small way of showing our gratitude," said Sqn Ldr Albie Fox, community relations officer for the RAF in Wales.

There might be a number of displays by pilots of privately-owned aircraft as well.

But show organisers warned that they might have to charge an entry fee this year to help cover costs.

The air show will also feature a transport festival including old cars and tractors.

A fly-past tribute to Mr Jones took place on the day of his funeral on 11 February.

An air accident investigation is continuing into how Mr Jones and Mr Carr died when their twin-engine Piper plane came down on 18 January.