Thousands of spectators gathered on Weston-super-Mare

seafront to see the Red Arrows brighten up a grey

afternoon.

The RAF aerobatic team took the crowd by surprise.

Usually the team flies into the resort from behind the

headland of Brean Down but the spectators suddenly found them

flying over their heads.

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They flew over the seafront promenade and beach before

jetting out over the Bristol Channel to carry out their

22-minute display. Team leader Jon Trott stayed on the ground

to sign autographs and talk to visitors.

He said: "This is my first visit to Weston but the team has

been coming here for a long time.

"However, this is the first time in seven or eight years we

have been able to do a crowd rear arrival, which is much

better.

"The crowd is fantastic and that is one of the main reasons

the team loves coming here."

The owners of the fire-ravaged Grand Pier, Kerry and

Michelle Michael, paid £10,000 towards putting on the show.

Michelle said: "We were absolutely delighted to host

them.

"We wanted it to be known as the Grand Pier Red Arrows

display and so we funded it to provide an extra event for the

town this year.

"I am glad to see such an impressive crowd despite, the

beach, the pier and all the car parks are full with

people."

Sharon Ashe, 39, a volunteer worker, of Devonshire Road,

said: "I think the display is brilliant. The number of people

who have turned up to watch is great and I even have my brother

and sister with me who have come up from London to support the

pier."

Sales manager Rachel Bidgood, 36, of Warwick, enjoyed the

show with her family. She said: "They have really drawn the

crowds in, it is an impressive display."

Sandra Turner, 56, a housing manager from Solihull, said: "I

come down every weekend to stay in my caravan and get away from

work. The Red Arrows are great."

The RAFA concert band gave two concerts for pier

visitors.

Musical director Peter Skellon said: "The owners asked us if

we could do an arrangement of the pier song written in

1929.

"I handed the task to Stephen Rocky, who plays trombone and

he put the arrangement together and a recording called Grand

Pier Song is being given to the owners."