TODAY, the day after resuming displays for the first time since losing a friend and colleague, the Red Arrows will once again be grounded for the funeral of Flt Lt Jon Egging.

The team will be attending the private service at St Mary the Virgin in his home village of Morcott in Rutland.

They flew displays as an eight man formation yesterday, missing Red 4, for the first time since the crash near Throop during the Bournemouth Air Festival on August 20.

At around 1pm they put on their show for families at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and then staged their first public display at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire at 4.15pm.

Terry Trevett, chairman of Bournemouth Red Arrows Association, whose links with the team stretch back to the 1980s, said: “It’s fantastic.

“They performed like the true and dedicated professionals they are and it was a real tribute to their lost friend and colleague.”

The team cancelled a performance scheduled for Portrush in Northern Ireland today so they could attend the funeral and cancelled two more performances tomorrow.

The books of condolence at Bournemouth Town Hall closed yesterday after receiving more than 6,000 signatures. The books of condolence in Bournemouth Library will remain open for one more week.

Squadron Leader Liz Parker said yesterday: “On behalf of the team I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone for all of their support, especially for the cards, flowers, messages and donations that we have received.

“The support and generosity that the public has shown has been of great comfort to all of us here at the squadron.”

The flowers surrounding the Pride Lion outside the town hall will be removed today and the lion put into the pride charity gala auction.

All the notes left with the flowers are being passed to widow Dr Emma Egging. The family is understood to be hoping to hold a public memorial.