EUROPE'S biggest free airshow will go ahead tomorrow in Sunderland despite mist and drizzle forcing the cancellation of a preview event yesterday.

The 17th Sunderland Airshow, centred on the seafront at Seaburn, will take place between 10am and 6pm tomorrow and Sunday with flying scheduled between 1 and 5pm on both days.

The Press preview featuring an F16 fighter and the Royal Navy's Black Cats Helicopter Display Team was called off because of the weather but air show director Peter Chapman stressed that the show was going ahead.

"We are fairly disappointed we had to cancel our preview but the actual show is going ahead as planned.

"The forecast is for an improving weekend - cloudy on Saturday and sunny intervals on Sunday - and we are working on the basis that we will have an airshow.

"You can plan all you like but at the end of the day you are in the hands of the elements. But as well as flying there are plenty of things going on in the arena.''

Attractions in the air include the RAF Red Arrows Display Team, the RAF Falcons Parachute Team, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Royal Navy's Black Cats Helicopter Display Team, craft from the airforces of the United States, Netherlands and Belgium.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - featuring a Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster bomber - will again be one of the stars of the show, which is being sponsored by the Discovery Channel.

On the ground attractions include The Discovery Channel UK - American Chopper UK Tour and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the car that starred in the famous 1968 film.

Owner Pierre Picton said he was delighted to be bringing the vehicle for visitors to admire.

The show, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors, is giving a multi-million pound boost to the city's economy as air enthusiasts from all over the country and beyond fill hotel rooms.

Rachael Bowley, assistant manager of the city's Tourist Information Centre said: "We are always very busy in the run up to the big event but this year the phones are going crazy. We have been inundated with phone enquiries from visitors all over the country in Gloucester, London, Wales, Bristol, Dumfries and Ireland who intend to stay in the city over the weekend."