Sunderland Airshow: Thousands flock to 30th anniversary

Image source, PA

Image caption, The Red Arrows were the first to take to the skies on Friday

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Thousands of people have gathered for the second day of the 30th annual Sunderland Airshow, with organisers buoyed by improved weather.

The Red Arrows got the ever-popular event under way on Friday with a colourful flypast above the city's newly built Northern Spire Bridge.

However, heavy rain and lightning storms meant the opening night's programme was curtailed.

Hundreds of thousands of people will attend across three days.

An RAF Typhoon team took to the air above Seaburn after the Red Arrows on Friday before a fireworks display brought proceedings to a halt.

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Early rain on Saturday gave way to blue skies with an RAF Chinook on show along with the Tigers Army Parachute Display Team.

Other planes featured across the weekend include an OV-10 Bronco, an MiG-15 and Spitfires.

A Battle of Britain memorial flight featuring a Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane was called off, though, and will not be staged this weekend.

Image source, North News

Image caption, The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team are based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire

Image source, North News

Image caption, The Team Raven formation aerobatic display group has been performing since May 2014

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Image source, North News

Image caption, Early rain did not deter the crowds with the seafront area welcoming thousands of enthusiasts

Image source, North News

Image caption, An RAF Typhoon was among the planes which made it into the sky

Image source, PA

Image caption, The Red Arrows are a regular attraction at the airshow and were set to perform again on Saturday

The event runs until 18:00 BST on Sunday.