THE fabulous Red Arrows will perform three times during Bournemouth's free four-day air festival in August.

Tens of thousands of extra visitors are now expected to attend the show following today's announcement that the display team will perform above the town's main pier three days running.

The Royal Air Force aerobatic display team is a regular visitor to the resort and always attracts hundreds of thousands of people who gather on the beach, along the cliff top and in the town's gardens.

For the last 12 years, the team's mid-August performances have come about thanks to the efforts of the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association.

Now the group, which consists of eight volunteers, has given its backing to the air show, and said it is pleased the town's links with the Red Arrows will continue.

"We at Bournemouth Red Arrows Association wish the team at Bournemouth Tourism every success with the festival" said chairman Terry Trevett.

The More Bus Bournemouth Air Festival will take place between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers and in the Lower Gardens.

As well as celebrating aviation there will also be loads of fun for the family including displays, demonstrations, fireworks and a balloon glow in the Lower Gardens.

It begins three days after the August Bank Holiday and is expected to provide a fitting finale for the summer season before children return to school the following week.