THE countdown has begun. There’s just one week to go until the most eagerly anticipated event of the year in Dorset, the Bournemouth Air Festival.

The country’s biggest free air bonanza, along with a whole host of other evening and day activities, runs from next Thursday, August 29 to Sunday, September 1.

The official 2013 Bournemouth Air Festival souvenir brochure, sponsored by the Daily Echo, is on sale now, and 10 copies have fantastic Golden Tickets hidden inside, revealing some top air festival-related prizes.

The lucky recipient of a Golden Ticket could find themselves being taken on a VIP tour of one of the Royal Navy ships attending the event, or be wined and dined courtesy of Urban Reef before enjoying the fabulous live music concerts at Boscombe Pier from a designer beach pod.

There’s even the chance to receive an amazing behind-the-scenes day at RAF Scampton, home of the mighty Red Arrows.

The air festival brochure costs £6 and is packed with fantastic images and information on the participating displays and a timetable Also with the brochure is a wristband in support of this year’s armed forces’ nominated charities, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, Hounds for Heroes and the Jon Egging Trust. A pound of the cover price is given to the three charities – it has raised more than £40,000 in previous years.

The 2013 Air Festival souvenir brochure is available to buy from the Tourist Information Centre in Westover Road, Bournemouth, Daily Echo offices, branches of Waitrose and a number of other selected stockists.

The Daily Echo’s air festival coffee table book is also on sale.

Featuring stunning images from the first five years of the event, it will make a great souvenir for any flying fan.

The book is yours to own for just £15.95 (£5.85 postage). Order online at bournemouthecho .co.uk/books or call 01305 830924 to buy with a debit/credit card.