Tickets refunded for air tattoo

Heavy rainfall caused waterlogging in the public viewing areas at the airshow

Organisers of this summer's cancelled Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire have processed ticket refunds ahead of schedule.

The 2008 air show was called off at RAF Fairford in July due to heavy rainfall.

Show organisers, the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises (RAFTCE), employed extra staff and completed refunds of 70,000 tickets within eight weeks.

Next year's Royal International Air Tattoo is planned to take place on 18 and 19 July 2009.

'Quite challenging'

David Higham, of the RAFTCE, said: "To set up a system that allows you to refund thousands of people's money quickly, yet at the same time enables you to maintain financial control over all the various outlets was quite challenging - particularly as this was the first time in the event's 38-year history that we have found ourselves in such circumstances.

"We certainly didn't underestimate the task and I am delighted that we were able to refund all ticket holders in such a timely manner."