Utterly Enjoyable Day

Planes taking part in the Eastbourne International Air Show made the short trip along the coast to tip the wing at Rustington's Princess Marina House on Friday.

They included an RAF Nimrod, a Chinook helicopter, Jaguar and Tornado jet fighters, and Tucano and Hawk RAF trainers.

More than two hours of airborne entertainment on the Rustington seafront were brought to a close by the "Utterly Butterly" wingwalkers, bravely strutting their stuff on pre-war Stearman aircraft.

Staff at Princess Marina House, run by the RAF Benevolent Fund, were able to arrange the flypast thanks to links with a sister organisation of the charity, which organised the Eastbourne show.

Wing Commander Philip Bush, general manager of the home, said: "We thought it would be an appropriate way of commemorating the Queen's golden jubilee and the residents here were totally behind it.

"We avoided June because we knew everyone else would be having their jubilee celebrations then, and August worked well with the Eastbourne show being on at the same time."

Residents and staff enjoyed a garden party in glorious sunshine while the flypast took place, and guests included Rustington Parish Council chairman Moira Rice, and West Sussex High Sheriff Sir Hugh Wyatt.