THE famous Blue Eagles Helicopter Display Team will be one of the highlights of the Abingdon Air and Country Show on Sunday, May 6.

The Army Air Corps' Blue Eagles, who fly Lynx and Gazelles, will be part of a planned three-hour display at Abingdon airfield.

It will be one of two air shows being staged in Abingdon in May.

The show will also feature an RAF Hawk, a Second World War Spitfire, an ex-RAF Pembroke, an RAF Merlin helicopter and a Hawker Hunter.

On the ground, more than 70 aircraft will fly in for a static display.

There will be civilian-owned aircraft including Hornet Moths, BAC Strikemaster and a Second World War C47 Dakota transporter.

The show will also feature military and international types including a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and a Polish navy M28 Bryza maritime patrol aircraft.

There will also be many non-aeronautical attractions in the main arena, such as vintage vehicles.

Displays will include the Doyle Academy of Irish Dancing, crafts and trade stalls and a 25th Anniversary MG Car Works Centre rally, featuring 150 MGs.

There will be pleasure flights operating from the airfield in a collection of historic aircraft.

Guest of honour to open the show will be globe-trotting pilot Polly Vacher, who flew around the world in her single-engined Piper Dakota in record time.

Proceeds are going to the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance service, based at RAF Benson.

The event co-ordinator Neil Porter said: "It promises to be the biggest show yet staged by us. We are hoping lots of money is made for the Air Ambulance, an underfunded, but important, life-saving service."

Tickets are on sale at the Abingdon Information Office at the Old Abbey House and from Dawsons Music Shop Abingdon.

Alternatively, call 01235 529142 for tickets and information.