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Twenty-one years of flying, 21 years of massive crowd appeal, 21 years of fun and sun (well, not every year) – that is what the Sunderland International Airshow has brought to the coastline of Seaburn and Roker.

The Red Arrows always attract the crowds.

It started as a one-day event for enthusiasts of everything aeronautical, but, over the years, the increased popularity of the event has spiralled skyward seeing attendance which has been estimated at a million.

In 2009, flights from front-line jets, vintage aircraft, a parachute display team and aerobatic teams will attract all eyes skyward. And of course, the ever dynamic Red Arrows display team will be back.

This year, the Red Arrows will be turning up in the skies over the coast on both days at 12.00 – they are probably the world's greatest aerobatic team.

The Spitfire - Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

On dry land, the Band of HM Royal Marines (Scotland), Royal Marines Combat Display Team and the 4th Royal Artillery Light Gun Display team will be in the arena.

The nostalgic and aficionados of flying will not be disappointed either - the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota), Falcons Parachute Display Team, Typhoon, Hawk, Tutor and Kingair will all be in and out of the sky above Roker.

The Blue Eagles will also be returning to this year's airshow with their Lynx and for the first time, their Apache will be making an appearance.

Other aero aces will include the Belgium Air Component F16, Royal Netherlands Air Force F16, The Black Cats, Chinook (Sunday only) and their Sea King Helicopter.

Our presenters just may get to talk to you too

The Blades Aerobatic Team, DC6, Swift Glider Team, Team Guinot (Sunday only), Vulcan Bomber (Saturday only) will also be demonstrating their mastery of the skies.

The Sunderland Airshow on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Wear and ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Newcastle

The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Wear web-team will also be flying about the airshow site over the weekend to capture pictures of the events and images of you,Ìý the public, too.

We would also welcome your pictures and stories for the website - so if you have something to say about the airshow or some cracking images, then send them by e-mail: wear@bbc.co.uk.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Newcastle will be broadcasting from the Seaburn seafront on Saturday and Sunday from 09.00am - 19.00.

Come along and see some of your favourite presenters including Sue Sweeney, Alfie Joey and Charlie Charlton, Jonathan Miles and Paddy MacDee - they will be broadcasting live from the airshow across the weekend.

Flying Times:
Saturday and Sunday
12.00 – 13.00 and 13.30 – 16.45*
*Times are provisional and are subject to change.

Aerobatic grace - Falcons Parachute Display Team

Your pictures

As always, we are looking for your spectacular images of the weekend's action.

So don't forget to send us a few of your best shots of the airshow, remembering to include your name. E-mail to wear@bbc.co.uk.

Park and Ride Information

A Park and Ride shuttle service will operate between 09.00 and 19.00 each day at Fulwell Quarry (near Millers Inn, SR5 1JT) and Community North Sports Complex (Kingsway North, SR5 4BB) and will cost £5.00 per car.

Car parks will be signposted from major routes to Sunderland and supervised throughout the day. Shuttle buses will operate at 10 minute intervals between 09.00 until 19.00 when the car park will close on both days. Please note that the car park will close at 19.30 each evening.

There is limited car parking available at the seafront on a first arrival basis, which is £6.50 per car.

... That was close!

Free parking for disabled blue badge holders is available on a first come, first served basis in Ocean Park car park which is behind Seaburn Leisure Centre and next to Morrison's Supermarket.

Temporary road closures

From 09.00 – 19.00, on both days, there will be temporary road closures on the A183 Whitburn Road, between its junction with Lowry Road and Harbour View and Pier View, plus all access roads between Whitburn Road, Roker Park and Park Avenue. Marine Walk will also be closed from its junction with Pier View. Some roads in Whitburn Village may also be closed depending upon the volume of traffic.

There will also be temporary closures on roads between Whitburn Road and Park Avenue and Whitburn Road from Whitburn Bents Road (except for permit holders).

Between 11.00 – 19.30 each day the southbound lane of Lowry Road will be closed to all vehicles except buses.

Thompson Road will operate a one-way system on both days.
From 11:00 - 13:30 the road will be closed to eastbound traffic only. Traffic will be diverted via Carley Road, Swan Street and Crozier Street to Newcastle Road.
From 16:00 - 19.30, the road will be closed to Westbound traffic only from the junction with Newcastle Road.

Between 09.00am – 19.30 each day Mere Knolls Road between Dykelands Road and Sea Road will be one way northbound only and a one-way southbound restriction will also apply to Prince's Avenue and Sea Lane.

Public Transport

A number of public transport services will serve the seafront.

The nearest Metro Station to the event is Seaburn (15 minutes walk to the seafront). Additional Metro trains will be running on both days.

The following buses will be available to Roker and Seaburn seafront from Sunderland City Centre:
Saturday: E1, E2, E6
Sunday: E1, E2, E6

These routes could be subject to further change upon information from the police or due to additional road closures.

For more details, please contact Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.traveline-northeast.co.uk or www.nexus.org.uk