THOUSANDS of people will be visiting Lowestoft todayand tomorrow to see the seventh annual seafront air festival.In 2002 the event attracted 350,000 visitors to the north Suffolk seaside town and organisers are confident that just as many will be making for the award-winning beach this year.

THOUSANDS of people will be visiting Lowestoft todayand tomorrow to see the seventh annual seafront air festival.

In 2002 the event attracted 350,000 visitors to the north Suffolk seaside town and organisers are confident that just as many will be making for the award-winning beach this year.

Both days see a wide variety of entertainment and activities on the ground beginning at 10am but it is the aircraft that attracts visitors from all over the country. Flying displays on both days are planned from 1pm to 5pm.

The world-famous RAF Red Arrows were due to open the flying show today with a display planned to last 25 minutes and return to Lowestoft tomorrow to conclude the flying spectacular at 5pm. But a personal family tragedy involving a member of the team has led to the RAF cancelling all displays for the time being.

A spokesman for Waveney District Council said: "We realise that a lot of people will be disappointed at not seeing the Red Arrows at Lowestoft but we hope they understand and appreciate the reasons behind the RAF's decision.

"The show's flight director is busy arranging for other aircraft to come in and give displays and there will be plenty to entertain the crowds with military and civilian aircraft from all over the world taking part in the show."

Highlights today include a display by a Sea King search and rescue helicopter and a RNLI lifeboat at 1.48pm, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight consisting of a Lancaster bomber accompanied by a Hurricane and Spitfire is due at 2.53pm for a 15-minute display.

The Royal Jordanian Falcons display team will also be in action and are due to perform at 2.16pm.

The first day's flying ends with the Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team from the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment at 4.44pm.

Tomorrow the action starts at 1pm with an afternoon of flying displays similar display to the first day with different timings.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is due at 2.17pm, the Royal Jordanian Falcons will be performing at 2.33pm, and the Tigers Freefall parachute team at 4.27pm. All times are subject to change.

Performers over the two days include an RAF Tucano, Tornado, Jaguar and Hawk, the Utterly Butterly wingwalkers, a De Havilland Sea Vixen and the search and rescue team from the Royal Netherland Air Force.

Extra police officers will be on duty to help deal with the traffic.

Insp Paul Bradford, of Lowestoft police, said: "We would ask those living locally to make their way to the seafront on foot if possible, or to make use of public transport including the park and ride. If you don't need to come into Lowestoft during these two days please avoid the town centre's main routes."

Waveney District Council has arranged park-and-ride facilities north and south of Lowestoft.

Motorists travelling to Lowestoft from the Ipswich direction are being asked to use the Pakefield park and ride facility next to the A12 and people coming from a northerly direction can use the park-and-ride centre at Dip Farm, Corton.

For people who want to travel through Lowestoft today and tomorrow the recommended route is through Oulton Broad and not the town centre.

Temporary traffic restrictions will operate in Lowestoft during the festival.