Warning of alcohol ban at airshow

Inspector Ken Crossley demonstrating one of the dip sampling kits

Visitors to the Sunderland International Airshow are being warned the event will be a no-alcohol zone.

Officers from Sunderland Area Command will use dip sampling kits to ensure that alcohol is not being smuggled in disguised as soft drinks.

Off-licenses have already been visited and asked to sell alcohol responsibly.

Last year 30 arrests were made at the show for various offences, including breach of the peace, public disorder and being drunk and disorderly.

Supt Marcus Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: "Those who were planning to visit the show with the intention of getting drunk, especially those underage, should think again.

"Police will be on hand at all entrances to the show to confiscate alcohol and those refusing to do so could see themselves arrested.

"Sunderland Airshow is a fantastic day out and the measures we are employing are there to ensure that people of all ages can have a good time without it being spoiled by the possibility of drunken disorder."

Attractions at the event on Saturday and Sunday include the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Red Arrows.

There will also be a mock rescue mission of "hostages" from a coastal "enemy camp" by members of the armed forces.