Waterlogged air show decision due

Heavy rain has been falling on the site during the week

Organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire will make a decision later about whether it can go ahead on Sunday.

The opening day of the event at RAF Fairford was cancelled after heavy rain left the airfield and car parks waterlogged.

People are being refused entry at the gates and 1,500 pre-booked campsite arrivals have been turned away.

An information helpline has been set up on 01285 713000.

It is the first time the tattoo has had to cancel one of its days in its 38-year history.

It is anticipated that the show will be held on Sunday, but it will be only for holders of tickets valid for Sunday Tattoo spokesman

"We are aware of the inconvenience our decision will have on the many thousands of people who have bought tickets for the Saturday but the safety of the public is paramount," said Tim Prince, Air Tattoo director.

More than 300 planes were due to take part and 100,000 visitors were expected to attend. Earlier in the week, air traffic controllers battled to clear a backlog of planes coming in after bad weather.

Steve Roden , 52, and his wife Leslie, 48, travelled from Haughley in Suffolk for the annual event.

"We've been here in our tent since Tuesday. It's one of our two annual holidays, we take the week off and really look forward to it," said Mr Roden.

The campsite at the airshow is waterlogged: pic Steve Roden

"I'm aircraft mad. I don't think I've really grown up. We always stay until Monday to see the planes leave.

"I'm sitting in our tent in the rain and the mud and to be honest I'm gutted.

"The mud is so bad we can't even get our car off the site to visit Cirencester so we're stuck here."

A tattoo spokesman said: "It is anticipated that the show will be held on Sunday, but it will be only for holders of tickets valid for Sunday. "

The decision to cancel the event on Saturday does not affect the future of the show, the finance director of the Air Tattoo has said.

"It can stand the financial impact of losing the whole show if Sunday doesn't take place," David Hyam said.

"There are no long term factors affecting us there."

The tattoo is staged in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, a charity set up in 2005.