IF you don't mind a bit of sea spray, the Royal Navy has a free treat for you during the Air Festival.

You can have a tour of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay, which is moored off Bournemouth Pier.

The ship itself is designed to offload troops and equipment during beach landings and replaces the Sir Galahad' style of ship used during the Falklands War.

The Daily Echo enjoyed a tour yesterday, a flypast by a Royal Navy Sea Vixen, and a stunning acrobatic show by a Lynx helicopter from the Black Cats display team.

The pilot even waved as he nodded' the helicopter in salute to Commodore Jamie Miller, the regional commander.

Commodore Miller offered a mock beach assault by Royal Marines, and a Sea Harrier display, for future air festivals.

Tickets are available from the Navy Careers stand on the beach from 11am to 4pm. You ride a landing craft from the pier to the Mounts Bay.

But be warned if you have a mobility problem - the stairway to the deck seems never-ending!