Red Arrows dazzle in New York debut (but soaring fuel costs rule out full displays back home)

The RAF's aerobatic team performed daring manoeuvres over the city, streaking past the Empire State Building in perfect formation. The nine Hawk jets, in their distinctive red, white and blue livery, also carried out a flypast of the Statue of Liberty.

The Red Arrows' debut over the Big Apple is part of a North American tour.

Thrilling: British Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, performs its first-ever aerial display over the New York Harbour

Their team leader, Wing Commander Jas Hawker, said the appearance helped foster 'continued goodwill between the U.S. and United Kingdom', adding: 'We've always wanted to perform in New York City.'

The Windermere Air Show in Cumbria has enjoyed the Red Arrows for the last five years.

The team have put on their display over the Lake District town cut price as a 'thank you gesture' for the area having to put up with over 3,000 hours of low flying over it by the RAF each year.

Now next month's show will only have a flypast by the Arrows.

Formation flying: The team jet up the East River in New York City

Water show: Children take in the spectacle and then head for a paddle

Show organiser Rob McGraw said: ' We cannot afford the £20,000 the Red Arrows team wants for a full display.

I understand 40 shows across the country have been priced out because of this increased cost, most of which is due to fuel.

'The flypast alone will cost us several thousand pounds and we have asked the local council for a donation of £5,000 towards the costs involved.'

A RAF spokesman confirmed that the number of displays by the Arrows had been scaled back.

'The programme this years is very tight due to a number of reasons,' he said.

Sky scrapers: The Red Arrows speed past New York's Empire State Building