Even the sky’s not the limit for Southend Air Festival!

Everything hots up from 10am on Saturday morning when the ground displays open, and there is a packed flying programme each afternoon from 2pm.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Derek Jarvis, said: "We're looking forward to a terrific weekend for Southend's sensational Air Festival 2011 this Saturday and Sunday, May 28th and 29th.

"We can reassure everyone that there will be plenty of airborne activity, despite fears of unscheduled Icelandic ash clouds, and there is a massive range of ground attractions to watch and get involved in too.

"This is a really marvellous opportunity for families to start the half term holidays with a huge choice of diverting activities at one of Europe 's largest free air shows.

"Especially new for this year is the first visit of the Band of the Royal Marines. This 41-piece marching band can be seen in action giving matchless performances in the arena at 12 noon and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.

"The air displays run from 2pm till 5pm on Saturday and 2pm till 5.30pm on Sunday, and we've got lots of awe-inspiring aircraft booked in. These include the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the RAF Falcons parachute display team, the Tornado GR4, the Hawk, Tucano and Tutor, Royal Navy Black Lynx and Merlin helicopters, the Breitling Wingwalkers and the P-51 Mustang.

"Among the other highlights will be the last flying Vulcan bomber making its first appearance of the summer on Saturday, and the world famous Red Arrows, forming a fabulously fitting finale to the festival late on Sunday afternoon."

Don't miss the Arena events, including the RAF Marham Ceremonial Dog Display Team or the show stopping performers on the main stage in the 'TxT Factor' event, part of the Southend Radio Roadshow. You can vote by text for your favourite act. Dragons Den contestant Levi Roots - famous for his Reggae Reggae sauce - is among the celebrity guest judges and will also be performing with his band.

Other ground attractions from10am until 6pm on both days, include displays from the RAF, the Royal Navy and the Army, static aircraft, climbing walls, armoured vehicles and tanks. You can meet pilots flying in the weekend displays, try flight simulators, water walker balls, giant inflatables and bungee trampolines, and keep your energy up with refreshments from around the world.

Watch out too on Saturday for the extra special chance to win a wing walk with the Breitling Wingwalkers in aid of this year's Air Festival appeal, supporting Help for Heroes and Southend's local Veterans Association charities. The competition is run by PlanesTV.com who will have a stall near the Veterans Village on the seafront at the Air Festival.

Participants will be asked to fill in a questionnaire. All these responses will be collected together on Saturday and the winner's name will be ceremonially picked out from the draw in the main arena.

There will also be plenty of other chances to give to the Air Festival causes - Help for Heroes and Southend's local Veterans Association charities. Local Army Cadets will be collecting money throughout the event

Keep in touch with what's going on via BBC Essex live broadcasts at the Air Festival. For more details of the event call 01702-215011 or visit http://www.visitsouthend.co.uk/