DARING stunt pilots blazed a trail across the skies to delight the crowds packing the seafront for the 18th annual Clacton Air Show.

The beaches and front were packed with plane-spotters from near and far, with all eyes on the skies, watching the aerial display.

Menacing clouds in the morning gave way to glorious sunshine just in time for the first flypast of the air show, which is expected to draw around 120,000 visitors over two days.

Among those taking part on Thursday were the Blades aerobatic team, who drew gasps of admiration with their tightly-co-ordinated dives and swerves, while youngsters on the beaches waved to the Guinot Wing Walkers, braving strong winds to perform stunts atop swooping biplanes The older generation enjoyed the wartime Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster planes of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, while the ever popular Red Arrows provided the thrills for Thursday’s finale.

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