Southend was basking in glory this weekend as its spectacular airshow pulled in hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Organisers of the two-day event believe they could break last year's record crowd of 750,000, despite unsettled weather which saw showers mingling with sunshine.
It featured a host of air displays, including daredevil flying by the famous Red Arrows and parachute jumps by the RAF Falcons team.
Coming down : a parachutist descends on Westcliff seafront amid smoke from a flare PIcture: STEVE O'CONNELL
Concern that the aftermath of the war in Iraq and terrorism fears might affect attendance numbers proved unfounded. Karen Ferreira, corporate director for Westcliff Casino, the event sponsors, said: "Because of the conflict in Iraq, we were unsure how people would feel about the airshow.
"However, the conflict has ended and with all the terrible things that have been going on people want a bit of relief. It has been fantastic."
The second day of the show features a seafront broadcast by Tony Blackburn.
Published Monday, May 26, 2003
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