In pictures: Red Bull Air Race

Some of the best stunt pilots in the world have flown at high speed through London just metres above the River Thames as part of the Red Bull Air Race World Series.

The pilots carried out tight turns over the river between Canary Wharf and the Greenwich peninsula, reaching speeds of up to 250mph.

Air racing involves navigating a plane through an aerial slalom course of inflatable pylons - called air gates - mounted on river barges.

It is the first time London has hosted the event, but not the first time the air race has been to Britain. Longleat in Wiltshire hosted a leg last year.

The London leg follows races in Abu Dhabi, Rio de Janeiro, Monument Valley in the US, Istanbul and Switzerland's Interlaken.

Pilots will go on to race in Budapest, Porto, San Diego and Perth in Australia.

The final race takes place in Australia on 4 November, seven months after the start of the series.

Many of the pilots taking part have been flying all their lives, with some in their forties and fifties.

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