A SPECIAL flypast to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee promises to be among the highlights of this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at Fairford.

In an aerial tribute to Her Majesty’s remarkable 60-year reign, more than 20 Hawks will be taking to the skies in close formation to spell out ‘E II R’.

This year the Jubilee will be one of the central themes of the world’s biggest military airshow, which runs from July 7-8.

RIAT will also hosting aerobatic display teams from seven different countries, including the RAF’s iconic Red Arrows and Al-Fursan – a newly formed team from the United Arab Emirates.

The Air Tattoo’s chief executive Tim Prince, who co-founded the event in 1971, said: "As ever we have an exceptional line-up of aircraft in store.

"Two countries, Colombia and South Korea, will be making their Air Tattoo debuts, the Avro Vulcan will be here to thrill the crowds, and many of the world’s top fast jets will also be joining us.

"The world really is coming to Fairford this year."

Tickets for the airshow are only available in advance. They can be purchased by calling 0800 107 1940 or by visiting www.airtattoo.com