Bournemouth Air Festival bosses are keeping their eyes on the sky following news that the legendary Vulcan bomber can fly this summer.

The aircraft’s operator, Vulcan to the Sky, has won a last-minute battle to have it airworthy for the display season.

It has raised hopes that the Cold War bomber will make a return to Bournemouth for this year’s event between August 19 and 22.

The Vulcan will fly at the Royal International Air Tattoo next weekend at RAF Fairford following a visit to the Yeovilton Air Day today.

Jon Weaver, Bournemouth Air Festival director, said: “It’s great news the Vulcan To The Sky Trust has confirmed the aircraft’s participation at RIAT. We were really lucky to have three displays last year and we’re looking forward to hearing about a successful display.”

The Vulcan was restored to flying condition in 2008 after a £7 million campaign.

To display each year it needs to pass a series of rigorous tests and its operators overcame financial and technical hurdles to secure its airworthiness for another season.

Fans will now be crossing their fingers that the Vulcan will appear at Bournemouth once more.

Richard Clarke, from Vulcan to the Sky, said that earlier this year they were “on the edge” of closing down due to a lack of funds.

He added: “We’re delighted. It’s taken a lot of hard work by a lot of people.”

Vulcan XH558 – the only airworthy example in the world – enjoyed a 33-year career with the RAF, including serving during the Falklands conflict.

Along with the Valiant and Victor, Vulcan formed the RAF’s V-bomber force to protect the UK from nuclear threat from the 1950s to the 1980s.

The restoration of XH558 was funded by lottery cash, private donations, sponsors and contributions from more than 20,000 members of the public.