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Essex airshow offers prayers for Shoreham plane crash victims

by Desmond Busteed

The Clacton Airshow in Essex is one of the first major events since 11 people lost their lives in West Sussex, with up to 100,000 expected to attend each day of the two-day event.

"As we get off the ground today we all send our heartfelt respects and prayers to the residents of Shoreham, and their air show organisers who together have endured a very difficult and distressing time since Saturday," said commentator Peter McNamara, before pausing for a moment of quiet reflection before the air show got underway.

Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire

With a threat of rain, and concerns over long traffic queues, many spectators arrived early to grab a prime spot.

Responding to last week's crash, Nigel Brown, communications manager at event organiser Tendring District Council, said: "We have been considering a whole number of different things over the past few days - but somehow they did not seem appropriate.

"We have to remember this was not a pilot or a display team which lost their lives, they were members of the public who were going about their everyday business.

"It is important that whatever we do does not make family and friends' suffering any worse than it already is."

Those attending the show will be entertained by the Bulldog T1, the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the RAF Chinook, the Vulcan and the RAF Typhoon.

Despite last, week's crash, Clacton's risk assessment has been signed off by the Civil Aviation Authority and its programme for Thursday and Friday has been given the all-clear.

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