IT'S up, up and away for a feast of family fun this weekend.

The annual Southend Airshow takes to the skies on Sunday and bank holiday Monday, promising plenty of aerobatic thrills.

In it's 23rd year, the Southend Airshow was the first seaside airshow to be staged in the country and has developed into one of the largest free airshows in Europe.

There will be a full afternoon's flying programme on both days from 1pm, so expect to see firm favourites again this year such as the RAF's premier display team, the Red Arrows, and the daredevil wingwalkers from Team Guinot.

There will also be the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight team including a Lancaster bomber, Hurricane and Spitfire.

There will be lots of fun to be had on the ground where the new Red Arrows Village is being unveiled for the first time with the chance to meet the pilots, try flight simulators and see one of the Red Arrow planes at close range.

Among other special celebrations for what is the 90th anniversary year of the RAF will be a show with static aircraft and interactive displays.

You could also come face to face with the world's largest chocolate fountain which stands nine-and-a-half feet tall in the Maxims' Casino marquee, the airshow's sponsor.

  • For a full round up of airshow events and flying times, see the Echo on Friday, May 23.