Airshow provides £12m boost for local economy

The Red Arrows thrilled the crowds not once but three times in a weekend.

Their displays were among the highlights of the 27th Sunderland International Airshow.

The largest free event in the North East attracted almost a million people to the seafront at Roker and Seaburn.

Before the rain came, organisers managed to squeeze in 12 hours of displays. That helped make it a success in the air and on the ground for local businesses.

The airshow transforms Sunderland's seafront into a stage thrilling thousands.And even this wet Monday morning failed to dampen the delight of organisers who say this year's airshow brought record crowds.

Record crowds bringing record profits for businesses of all kinds.

For Allaoa Boumedjane, a restaurant owner, the airshow is an essential part of the summer season.

It is the first time Pam and Les Gundry have visited Sunderland, travelling from their home in Leicestershire to see the show.

Welcome news for a city that enjoyed a 12 million pound boost from the weekend - helping its economy and image to fly high.