JUST under 3,000 people used the park and ride service during the Air Festival, increasing from just 40 users a month ago.

More than 800,000 people flocking to the coast to witness the dynamic aerial displays this weekend over the weekend.

BCP Council confirmed just under 3,000 people used the services from Kings Park in Boscombe and the Civic Centre in Poole between Thursday, September 2 and Sunday, September 5.

The local authority also confirmed they handed out 756 parking notices during the four-day festival with the 270 being dished out on Sunday.

Tow away powers were used against 13 vehicles, 10 of which occurred on Saturday.

Additionally there was 126 tonnes of waste collected across the four days.

In total 14 missing people were reunited with their parents or carers including 11 children and three vulnerable adults.

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “Over the weekend, we had no major incidents on the beach or the surrounding town centre areas, where we hosted the land, air and sea activities during the festival.

“Despite some disturbances, and illegal parking, the multi-agency response from the police, security and civil enforcement has proven effective and we have been able to attend to all of these occurrences quickly.

“We would like to say thanks for all the hard work of the support, maintenance, event and safeguarding staff and to all the visitors that helped make Bournemouth Air Festival as safe and as enjoyable as possible, two years after it last took place.”

The Bournemouth Air Festival will return next year between September 1 and September 4.