BCP Council has declared its Platinum Jubilee Bournemouth Air Festival to be a success with the Typhoon closing the four-day event on Sunday.

Events included breathtaking stunts from the Jet Pitts Muscle Bi Plane, wing walkers, parachutists, the nostalgia of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and of course, the ever-popular Red Arrows.

Running for over 10 years, the air show now includes an impressive number of flying displays, armed forces entertainment, a STEM education tent (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), family entertainment, fairground rides, Pier to Pier trading, free outdoor films, live music and the ever-popular fireworks.

This year early indicators suggest a major uplift in residents and local people coming to enjoy the festival. On Saturday the Prom Café reported its best day of trading ever.

In a push for a more sustainable festival, residents and visitors have been encouraged to leave their cars at home wherever possible and travel by train, bus, bike, or even Beryl scooter to the festival site, to help reduce the carbon footprint.

The council’s popular Park and Ride from Kings Park to Boscombe Pier removed an estimated 2,000 cars from local roads and the town centre on Saturday, facilitating greater ease of travel away from the event.

Attendees were also urged to bring reusable water bottles from home and fill up at one the 150 water refill points along the seafront that have recently been installed or refreshed thanks to BCP Council’s partnership with City to Sea.

This year many more people took their waste home and made use of the bins provided along the seafront.

Jon Weaver, Air Festival director, BCP Council commented: “Once again, we’ve had a fantastic four days of fun and I’m incredibly proud of my team who have worked tirelessly both leading up to and over the last few weeks to ensure the success of this year’s festival. I am also very grateful to colleagues across the council who have stepped up before and during the festival to ensure its smooth running.

“Putting together a festival of this magnitude also requires a huge amount of partnership working and my immense thanks go to everyone who been involved in this year’s festival. From the emergency services to the armed forces and RNLI, as well as hospitality partners and traders who all have given 100% to make sure we had a successful festival over the last few days.”

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, portfolio holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places, BCP Council said: “Bournemouth Air Festival is the highlight of the summer calendar and this year’s festival certainly did not disappoint. From the iconic Red Arrows to the thrilling night displays and the fabulous family atmosphere throughout, it’s been fantastic.

“This iconic air show certainly puts Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on the map. It brings in the crowds from far and wide, supporting the economy and local jobs. It also gives us the opportunity to showcase the best of our area to a wide audience.

“We’re now looking ahead to the arrival of the exciting Airship Orchestra and then our Arts by the Sea Festival, which has now extended through Christchurch. We also have the ever-popular Christmas Tree Wonderland, Poole Fireworks and the first ever Poole Christmas Maritime Lights Festival coming later this year.”

Provisional dates for next year’s air festival will be the 31 August to 3 September.