UP, up and away - the Southend Airshow takes to the skies once again this weekend.

The annual show takes place this year on Saturday and Sunday (May 28 and 29) on the seafront.

Now in its 26th year, the Southend Airshow is Europe’s largest free air display.

With flying displays from more than 40 aircraft, both historic and modern, the skies over Southend will be full of thrills and spills.

There will be a full afternoon's flying programme on both days from 2pm, so expect to see firm favourites again this year such as the RAF’s premier display team, the Red Arrows, the daredevil Breitling wingwalkers and the RAF Falcons parachute team, who will make a spectacular entrance on Westcliff beach.

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

Good fun is also to be had on the ground where the Red Arrows Village offers the chance to meet the pilots, try flight simulators and see one of the Red Arrow planes at close range.

There will also be RAF, Royal Navy and Army displays alongside bungee trampolines, inflatable water walkers and displays from the band of the Royal Marines and the RAF Marham ceremonial dog display team.