THE widow of Red Arrows pilot Jon Egging is taking his place on a 400-mile coast-to-coast charity bike ride.

Emma Egging will stand in for Jon, 33, who died on August 20 when his jet crashed near Throop during the Bournemouth Air Festival.

She will join Red Arrows pilots and engineers as they cross the UK at its widest point, starting at St David’s Head in Wales on October 10 and finishing in Lowestoft four days later.

They hope to raise £50,000 for charity, split between the RAF Association and Fly2help.

Squadron Leader Ben Murphy, Red 1, Commanding Officer of the Red Arrows, said: “Emma is a remarkable woman, and together we shall cycle every mile in dedication to the memory of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging.”

Squadron Leader Dunc Mason, a BBMF pilot, based at RAF Coningsby, said: “It is with the utmost respect and admiration that I can say that Emma, Jon's wife, will be riding in his place.

“Jon stands alongside those others in the Royal Air Force that have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. He will not be forgotten.”