Clacton Airshow is truly one of the highlights of the summer, so it is great news that the Red Arrows will headline both days of this year’s show, taking place on 21-22 August.

The Red Arrows are one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams and have long been associated with the Airshow which celebrates its 32nd year this summer.

Each year’s show builds upon the last, and crowds of up to 200,000 people of all ages and all walks of life are expected to attend this summer’s show over the course of its two days.

Those who attend will be treated to a spectacular event that celebrates our wonderful heritage as well as the skill and derring-do of our magnificent pilots in their magnificent flying machines, to coin a phrase.

I must admit that much like many of you I was disappointed that the Red Arrows were not able to attend last year’s show whilst they represented the UK at an airshow in Canada, so I am especially glad to see them make a triumphal return to Clacton this summer.

However, a temporary absence is one thing, a permanent disappearance is another.  The Red Arrows are facing down a serious threat of being grounded, with no replacement aircraft yet lined up for their fleet of jets due to be retired in 2030.

It would be a national disgrace if we lost the Red Arrows and is an issue that I’ve taken up. So, whilst I keep up the pressure in Westminster to make sure a viable future for the Red Arrows is found, its even more important than ever that you do make space in the diary to attend this year’s show before the chance to see them is lost for much longer than just a single year.