What is next for popular air festival?

Talks are ongoing with a company who could take over running Bournemouth Air Festival.

Its future was thrown into doubt after Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council announced it would stop funding the event after 2024.

Millie Earl, the authority's leader, said it was now "talking to a potential future operator".

She added residents, businesses and visitors would be updated on any changes as soon as possible.

The cuts came as the authority tried to manage a £50m shortfall in its budget.

Blaming "unprecedented financial pressure", it has instead turned to private sponsors to run the event in future.

A report will go to BCP Council’s cabinet in the autumn.

“No decision has been made yet and any decision needs to go through the full democratic process," Ms Earl said.

“We have been open and transparent about 2024 being the last council funded Bournemouth Air Festival, bearing in mind the financial challenges we are facing as a council."

Ms Earl added the operator could decide to "press the pause button" on the event for 2025, allowing time to "plan and refresh" for the following year.

The 2024 festival, which included displays from The Red Devils, RAF Firebirds and Otto the Helicopter, was cut from four days to three.

The event, which has been running since 2008, has previously hosted The Red Arrows - although they were missing from the most recent line-up as they were on tour in Canada.

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