Mervyn Hancock dons his goggles and his flying suit for a weekend at the seaside with a difference

IF you're looking for something to do to entertain the whole family during the school holidays, then how about a visit to the More Bus Bournemouth Air Festival?

With more than 12 hours of air displays planned for the four-day festival, this is an event not to be missed. The festival takes place from August 28-31 along Bournemouth seafront with a flypast of aircraft from the early days of flight right up to today's awesome jet fighters.

The thrilling aviation line-up includes the Red Arrows (Friday, 3pm, Saturday, noon, and Sunday, 3pm), accompanied by an original Folland Gnat jet, the return of the Sea Vixen, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Royal Navy Black Cats Helicopter Display Team, Team Guinot Wing Walkers and much more. With more action taking place on the ground and great entertainment in to the early evening, this is a fantastic free event.

With so much taking place in the skies, make sure you enjoy the action and excitement on the ground between the Bournemouth and Boscombe piers.

Check out the many demonstrations, craft, trading stalls and interactive activity. The RAF and army will have plenty to keep everyone entertained, including mock-up cockpits (have a go at being a real pilot), an army assault course, tanks and a static helicopter display, as well as boat trips to the Royal Navy's RFA Mounts Bay, which will be out at sea.

For a real piece of history, war veterans from various locally based organisations will be sharing their stories with visitors.

With action-packed entertainment taking place during the day and through the evening, this is a festival in every sense. As night falls, look out for the Electroglide Angels and Armitage "Tiger" Thomson, the "Air Ace", entertaining everyone in his miniature Spitfire aircraft.

As dusk falls, the town will be lit up by a magical Balloon Glow. Hot-air balloons will take off from the seafront, float through the skies and land in the Lower Gardens, where they will light up the night sky to a stunning synchronised musical accompaniment.

Make sure you see the spectacular Heliosphere on Friday and Saturday night: a helium-filled balloon that rises and falls to music as its aerialist acrobat tumbles and turns with balletic grace and beauty.

And don't forget Saturday night's Big Bang fireworks display, scheduled to take place at 10pm – a family favourite for everyone to enjoy!

If you're coming by car make the most of the official park-and-ride service. For only £10 per car, park at one of the conveniently located venues.

These are Littledown Centre (Saturday and Sunday only), Kings Park and Bournemouth University, and you can catch a complimentary bus to the seafront – it's as simple as that!

Alternatively, get the train to Bournemouth, and a bus to the town centre, or use your bike (there are extra cycle stands located along the East Overcliff) or, if you're close by, why not walk instead?

Organisers advise planning an alternative route to the town centre and avoid bringing the car as they are expecting thousands of people to come to the seafront.

For travel information visit www.gettingabout.info/airfestival.php and more information about the More Bus Bournemouth Air Festival log on to www.bournemouthair.co.uk