FLYING fans are breathing a sigh of relief after the Government assured an MP that the Red Arrows would not be axed in defence cuts.

As reported in the Daily Echo on Monday, national newspaper reports at the weekend claimed that the team was not safe from further spending cutbacks.

But Edward Leigh, MP for Gainsborough, close to the Arrow’s Lincolnshire base, has been reassured by Armed Forces Minister Andrew Robathan that the team – which is the major attraction at Bournemouth Air Festival – would not be part of money-saving plans.

Mr Leigh had tabled a question to the House of Commons over the issue.

Terry Trevett, chairman of Bournemouth Red Arrows Association, said: “The news that the Red Arrows are not to be part of major cutbacks this year will be welcomed not only by myself and the people of Bournemouth, but by the country.

“I’m sure the show organisers, event organisers and many other people who have requested fly-pasts and displays will be overjoyed.”