Furious ticket-holders turned back from Air Tattoo show after organisers cancel at eleventh hour

Furious ticket-holders who were turned back by police complained at the late decision - taken at 8pm on Friday - to cancel the first day of the event. Many had gone to bed before the announcement was made - to make an early start in the morning.

Roads leading to the airfield were clogged with traffic as thousands of families tried to get to Fairford, unaware of the cancellation. Many motorists insisted on stopping and questioning police about how they could get refunds, causing further delays.

Royal Air Force aircraft the Red Arrows fly over RAF Fairford yesterday as part of the 90th anniversary celebrations of the formation of the RAF in 1918

Inspector David Collicott from the Gloucestershire Constabulary Traffic Management Unit said: 'It's incredibly upsetting for all those involved in the Air Tattoo today that it has had to be cancelled. We are urging those planning to visit not to travel to Fairford.

'Police officers and tattoo staff are monitoring the travel routes and will be providing regular traffic updates to the media.'

Air Tattoo Live is also providing regular information and is available on 87.7FM. It was announced just after 4pm today that tomorrow's airshow has been cancelled too.

One of the disgruntled fans who set off early without realising the show was off was Phil Taylor of Southampton, 100 miles from the airfield. 'I was up at 3.15am and almost ready to depart when for some reason I clicked on the tattoo website "latest news" and was shocked to find it was not to be,' he said.

'As an early night was clearly what many would-be travellers had planned, may we please be told why the decision could not have been taken and broadcast widely by early afternoon on Friday, instead of at 8 o'clock at night?'

Andrew Cooper from Gloucester said: 'We had the food packed, drinks ready and the kiddies in bed early with excitement last night.

'We were all ready to go then the phone went - it was my dad calling with the news of the flood at the base. If it had not been for him hearing a newsflash about it we would have left this morning without knowing.

'My son was tears as all he wanted to do was wear his flight costume and feel like Tom Cruise!

'A friend of mine has driven all the way up from Southend-on-Sea, about 150 miles away. I really feel for the RIAT organisers - I am gutted for them really as they put so much effort into such a fantastic event. Is there no way they could hold the show next weekend instead?'

The Queen accepts flowers from Soleece Anabwani, 6, at RAF Fairford, after presenting new Queen's Colours jointly to the RAF and the Royal Air Force Regiment, at yesterday's opening of the Royal International Air Tattoo

In a statement issued last night, the organisers said: 'Due to the unusually heavy rainfall during the past 72 hours, a decision has been made by the organisers to cancel the airshow on Saturday, July 12.

'The cancellation of the airshow on Saturday follows a sustained period of heavy rainfall that has resulted in waterlogged conditions not only in the public car parks but also on the airfield itself.

'The decision was taken following consultation with the police and other safety services.' 

Air Tattoo director Tim Prince said that it was the first time the Air Tattoo had had to cancel in its 38-year history.

'It is with great regret that we had to take the decision to cancel the airshow on the Saturday but the safety of the public is paramount,' he said.

'When it became clear that we could not guarantee the safety of the many thousands of people who had bought tickets for Saturday, the decision to cancel was straightforward.

'We are aware of the inconvenience our decision will have on the many thousands of people who have bought tickets for the Saturday but the potential risk of there being significant difficulties on the roads, in our car parks on the airbase itself were too high.

'Our hearts go out to all the public who have lost the opportunity to see what was going to be one of the best shows in recent years.

'A great many people were particularly looking forward to seeing the Raptor from the United States and the appearance of a Vulcan. It is very disappointing for them and we really feel for them.'

He said that all Saturday ticket holders would receive full refunds, but he urged people to be patient and to be prepared for a wait of up to eight weeks.

One hundred thousand people had bought tickets for the event. Many who arrived early in camper vans and mobile homes found themselves bogged down in thick mud and unable to leave.

Airshow fan Tony Williams of Bishops Cleeve, near Cheltenham, said: 'I have been to every Air Tattoo since the first at North Weald in 1971. I have been to many airshows during or after heavy rain. Flying programmes have been disrupted but never before has a show been cancelled. The record rainfall was in America - five inches in a day and they didn't cancel there.

'Making such a decision late on the evening before is unbelievably stupid. Traffic chaos will just about shut down Gloucestershire because so many people did not hear in time.'