Evening air show took to skies for first time

All eyes were on the sky over St Peter Port as the Guernsey Battle of Britain Air Display took place.

The move from daytime to evening is designed to be more accessible to all age groups and a food village was in operation to mark the new time.

Aircraft in the display, which ran from 18:30 and finished at 20:00 BST, included stalwarts the Red Arrows and the "in-demand" Typhoon, the flying display director Barry Neal said.

He said spectators would also see the "Pitts Biplane return to this year's event with gravity defying aerobatics, before a fireworks conclusion by Airborne Pyrotechnics".

The live stream of the event on the BBC Guernsey Facebook page is available to watch on demand.

A planned appearance by the only Hurricane still flying that took part Battle of Britain 1940 was cancelled earlier, because of the winds, organisers said.

Mr Neal said organisers had managed to get replacements for the Hurricane to come across before taking part in the Jersey Air Display on Thursday.

He said: "We worked with Jersey yesterday afternoon to try and get something from their display to come across, and luckily we have.

"We're going to get a Yak-3 and Boomerang pair, coming to display in place of the Hurricane, that depends on authorisation from the DCA, that is being processed at the moment.

"They will be completely different, we haven't had them before, so it will be completely different for the public, and hopefully that will work out."

Event organiser Natalie Davidson said: "The Guernsey Air Display has been enjoyed by thousands for over 60 years.

"By moving the display to the evening and having food and entertainment on offer, we are really excited for the whole community to come together to enjoy this fantastic spectacle."

A Liberation Day Meet the Pilots event featuring the Hawker Hurricane and two US aircraft raised nearly £3,000 for the air display.

The event relies almost entirely on private funding from local businesses, which form the Friends of the Guernsey Air Display, and a States of Guernsey grant.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].