NEW rules governing aerobatic displays are not expected to affect this year’s Sunderland International Air Show, organisers have said.

Safety regulations have been tightened nationwide following the Shoreham disaster, which claimed 11 lives when a plane crashed into a busy road.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the measures include "enhancing" the experience, skill and health that display pilots must demonstrate before being allowed in the air.

The regulator has also toughened the safety checks that must be passed before organisers receive permission to hold an event.

Sue Stanhope, director of Sunderland International Airshow, said: “Safety of both the audience and the display teams is always of paramount importance at Sunderland International Airshow

“Due to the location of our airshow these new rules should not have a significant effect on the displays that visitors see over the weekend of July 22-24.

“The arrangements that we currently have in place are already likely to reach the revised CAA standards.

“We will as a matter of course take a close look at the implications of any changes and ensure that we continue to not only comply with, but exceed the minimum safety standards required."

Eleven people were killed when a Hawker Hunter jet crashed on to the A27 in West Sussex during the Shoreham air show on August 22 2015.