A NEW book full of pictures of the first five years of Bournemouth Air Festival has got the backing of a group who really know their stuff.

The Daily Echo’s new photographic coffee table-style book goes on sale on Monday and members of Bournemouth Aviation Museum at Hurn – which supplied the Leopard jet currently residing at St Paul’s roundabout ahead of the festival – got a sneak preview.

The book, in association with Castle Cameras, will make a cracking souvenir for flying fans.

The hardback contains 176 pages in full colour, featuring hundreds of stunning photo-graphs taken by the Daily Echo’s award-winning snappers over the first five years of the event.

It features the highs and lows of each year, with pictures of the planes and the people.

We look back at each event, from the first in 2008 to 2012.

Pictured are all the favourites – the Red Arrows, the Bournemouth-based Sea Vixen, Vulcan, the Blades, Miss Demeanour, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and many more.

Aviation museum trustee Alison Morris said: “It looks really good and I will be buying one, as will all of the guys here.

“It brings back a lot of memories as well. It’s glossy and bright and colourful. I’m hoping there will be a next edition with all of the pictures from this year.”

The official Bournemouth Air Festival brochure, sponsored by the Daily Echo, is also on sale at £6, including a £1 charity donation, wristband and access code to keep up to date with changes to the flying programme.

This year also sees, for the first time, a golden ticket giveaway, which will see some programme-buyers win money-can’t-buy prizes.

The brochure will be available from Daily Echo offices and the Tourist Information Centre in Westover Road, as well as other stockists around the town.

The air festival book is yours to own for just £15.95 (£5.85 postage).

To get a copy visit bournemouth echo.co.uk/books and follow the links to place your order online or call the subscriptions department on 01305 830924 to place your order over the phone, paying by debit/credit card.