NEW tougher regulations will be in place at this year's Abingdon Air and Country Show, following last year's tragedy at Shoreham in West Sussex.

On August 22 a 1950s Hawker Hunter crashed during a display at the Sussex show, killing 11 people and injuring 16 others.

The 17th annual charity air and country show at Abingdon Airfield will take place on Sunday, May 1, under the new regulations.

Organisers say the land is owned by Defence Estates and has been run under the Civil Aviation Authority rules and safety guidelines but from this year onwards the show will be governed by the Military Aviation Authority.

Event organiser Neil Porter said: "We were notified in mid-January that the MAA was going to be our new governing body.

"Although the strict rules in place almost run parallel to CAA rules, there are some differences.

"I attended a recent symposium at the Royal Military College at Shrivenham to view the new tougher proposals for airshow organisers under the MAA.

"This essentially means triple the paperwork for enhanced risk assessments, site surveys and enhanced event management plans.

"Since the unfortunate Hunter accident last year, fatally wounding 11 people at the Shoreham Airshow, tougher restrictions have come into force."

As a result of the new regulations those attending are being warned that a temporary traffic order for a road closure will be in place in Honeybottom Lane to the north of the airfield, as well as for Green Lane opposite the main runway approaches.

Mr Porter added: "In light of the tragic accident at Shoreham we are taking the necessary procedures to make the event even safer, and as the displays are closer to the northern end of the airfield, the road closure is in place.

Mr Porter also said spectators congregating beneath the display area on the road outside the airfield could disrupt the show until they were asked to leave by stewards.

Air display fans are being asked to enter the airfield via the southern airfield gate off Barrow Road and there there will be improved security around the airfield.

The show starts at 10am and attractions will include a three-hour flying display including the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight featuring a Spitfire and Hurricane, Scout, Sioux and Wasp 1960s helicopters, and a Bristol Blenheim bomber, used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War.

Other attractions will include Thames Valley Police Mounted Division, live music, a Williams Grand Prix static F1 car and falconry displays.

There will also be more than 60 static aircraft, including Puma and Chinook helicopters from RAF Benson, and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance EC135 helicopter, which the show supports.

For further information visit abingdonairandcountry.co.uk