A Second World War bomber was today due to fly home after being grounded by engine failure during the Southend Airshow.

The Lancaster bomber, which thrilled crowds on Sunday, was unable to give a repeat performance yesterday because of the mechanical fault.

One of the plane's four engines failed as it flew as part of the Battle of Britain display team over the Estuary on Sunday afternoon.

It meant the pilot was only able to flat fly in front of the crowds before limping back to Southend Airport which was put on emergency alert.

The failure caused a slight delay in the show as the next display was grounded until the disabled plane had landed safely.

Many of the tens of thousands of people enjoying the show were unaware of the drama.

Organisers said as many as half a million people lined the seafront for what turned out to be one of the biggest and best airshows in Southend's history.

Rain dampened the crowd's spirits a little on Sunday but fine weather on Monday brought families out in force.

By the time of the Red Arrows grand finale display the sun was shining and nobody wanted to go home.

Lisa Tidder, Southend Council's special events organiser, said: "Sunday was disappointing as the overcast weather meant some planes could not fly.

"The Lancaster bomber did suffer an engine failure and had to land and although around 80,000 people turned up they went home early.

"But on Monday lots of people stayed on after the planes had gone to enjoy the sunshine and the seafront. It was been a wonderful day."

Director of the flying display, Ray Thilthorpe, said the day showed the airshow had become a major occasion for Southend.

Struggling - the Lancaster bomber limps back to Southend Airport

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.