BIPLANES, jets and fighters looped and roared over crowds at airshow Fly to the Past.

Some 10,000 people attended the event at Oxford Airport in Kidlington yesterday.

Crowds enjoying the sunshine were treated to a four-hour flying extravaganza.

It was the first time the show had been held at the airport, but organisers and visitors alike said it had been a tremendous success.

Becki Rolls, 30, of Chipping Norton, visited with husband Jeff, 32, and children Grace, two, Tom, 11, and Jack, eight.

She said: “The boys have a love of aeroplanes and are Spitfire obsessed.

“This is fantastic for them and they are learning so much about the planes.”

Jack said: “This is awesome. It is exciting and interesting.”

As well as the flyovers, there were historical planes on the ground and hundreds of classic cars.

The event also featured stalls, fairground rides and flight simulators.

Dawn Goodwin, 40, visited with her father Jim, 67, nephew Jack, 10, and son James, six.

She said: “This event is great because it teaches children about the past and gets them in touch with what happened during World War I and II.”

Richard Fuller, 30, of Long Hanborough, attended with children Chloe, two, Jack, four, and their grandfather, Dave, 62.

He said: “It is great having something like this on your doorstep, and the kids love it.

“This is the first time they have been to an airshow.”

The air display included a Fokker, Sea Vixen, Hurricane, Spitfire and Jungmeister biplane, as well as the Breitling Wingwalkers.

The world’s last flying Vulcan was due to perform a flyover during the finale of the show, but was grounded by a fuel leak earlier this week.

Ben Smith, 38, of Charlbury, attended with children Toby, five, and Rose, three. He said: “It is great to get so close to the wonderful aeroplanes.”

Joe Bugler, 48, of Combe, brought children George, nine, and Matilda, eight to the show. He said: “This is a great use of Oxford Airport.”

Show director Frances Rockliff said: “We are delighted with the turnout. We are going to build this into a three-day event next year.”

He said next year’s event would feature even more planes.

Referring to the death of a Red Arrows pilot in Dorset on Saturday, Mr Rockliff said: “I have had Red Arrows perform three times in the past. The last thing they would have wanted is people to stop entertaining and flying.”

Some festivalgoers complained about how traffic was routed into the site. Northbound traffic was directed off the A44 and through Kidlington, which organisers said was to avoid adding to traffic from Blenheim bike festival.

Mr Rockliff said the route was agreed with police and highways officials.