EUROPE’S biggest free airshow gets underway on Friday with a packed programme of music and spectacular flying.

The world famous Red Arrows will be among those going through their paces at the launch party of the 29th Sunderland International Airshow, as well as on Saturday and Sunday.

Large crowds are expected to gather on Cliffe Park and along the seafront to enjoy the music and flying, including a Typhoon Display and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Musicians including African performance group the Lions of Zululand will take to the stage from 4pm, before the main event at 6pm, with an opening speech from Sunderland Mayor Councillor Doris MacKnight.

There will be performances from Hetton-based folkrock, roots and colliery brass band Dennis fresh from sell-out shows across the country.

Tribute acts, with music from the Spice Girls, Steps, Take That and Britpop-era Oasis, Pulp and Blur, will provide a nineties music-themed climax celebrating the 25th anniversary of Sunderland being granted city status by Royal Assent.

The main weekend flying programme will get underway from from about 11am on Saturday, with the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team dropping from the skies.

As well as the usual favourites, this year’s line-up includes the RAF Tutor display team, British Army Tigers Freefall Team, Fireflies, Gerald Cooper Xtreme, The Blades, Sally B

Bristol Blenheim Mk 1, P51 Mustang, Autogyro, Bronco

with an appearance by the Great North Air Ambulance.

Sunday’s flying programme starts at about noon.

On Friday a park and ride is available from the Stadium of Light to the from 2pm to Bungalow Café with the last return bus leaving at 11pm.

On both Saturday and Sunday a park and ride service will operate throughout the day from Fulwell Quarry, near Millers Inn, SR5 1JT; Downhill Sports Complex, Kingsway North, SR5 4BB, Civic Centre and Stadium of Light on both days. The cost is £2 per person return, with under-five’s free.

The car parks will be signposted from major routes to Sunderland and supervised throughout the day. Buses will operate at 10min intervals between the hours of 9am until 7pm when the car parks close.

Souvenir Programmes priced at £3.50 are available on site throughout the weekend. The Tyne and Wear Metro will be running extra services and visitors are being advised to allow plenty of time for their journey.

Road closures are in place from Bungalow Cafe to Morrison’s Roundabout from 2pm to 10pm tomorrow and 9am to 7pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/airshow or Facebook at www.fb.com/SunderlandInternationalAirshow and on Twitter @SunAirshow