THE countdown has begun with just three days until the daring pilots of the RAF's Red Arrows paint Bournemouth's skies red, white and blue.

Those magnificent men in their flying machines will demonstrate their full repertoire of aerobatic tricks at noon on Friday in front of tens of thousands of excited onlookers gathered along the clifftops.

Bournemouth Red Arrows Association (BRAA) has raised £80,000 for charity, but committee members hope the latest display will propel them past the £100,000 mark, as they celebrate their tenth anniversary.

And the charity appeal has got off to a "flying start" raising more than £3,500 in a prize draw at Bournemouth Flying Club.

The cash will go towards Bournemouth scouts' £1 million Target 2007 Appeal, which aims to turn Butcher's Coppice in Kinson into a state-of-the-art centre of excellence in time for the centenary of the first experimental camp on Brownsea Island.

Chairman of BRAA Terry Trevett said: "This has given us a flying start in our endeavour to ensure the scouts get a worthwhile donation to their appeal, and I very much hope the public will respond on Friday."

This year's display is supported by Drilling Systems Ltd, who hope a charity lunch after the display will boost the coffers further.

First published: August 9