THE RAF has defended its inaugural Spirit of Adventure event, following criticism from some visitors.

On Saturday, PR executive Lucy Wigginton from communications company Republic Media, said that 8,000 people had gone through the gate that day and she anticipated a further 8,000 people the following day.

However, many of those who attended the event, staged by event creator Jervis Entertainment Media Ltd, and promoted and managed by London-based promotions company 3a, claimed the number of visitors was far lower.

The event - designed to promote the work of the RAF - was held at Abingdon Airfield on Saturday. Sunday's show was cancelled due to heavy rain.

In a series of postings on the Oxford Mail website, some visitors said the show was overpriced and disappointing, while others called it a "shambles".

Andy Pewter, from Oxford, said: "It was diabolical. There was hardly anything to see or do - and the much-vaunted movie was dull, dull, dull."

Dave Burnell, from Wiltshire, suggested there were only 1,000 people there.

He wrote: "Dreadful day out. Never again."

RAF Group Captain Andy Turner, who was involved with the organisation of the event, said organisers were happy with the way it had been run by Jervis Entertainment Media - who put the show together - but were disappointed more people had not turned up.

He said he had received a number of favourable comments about the event, but admitted there was a "long list" of things they would do differently next time.

He said: "I was very pleased with the event organisation, how it was set up and rolled out. I was disappointed at how many people came and I think that's due to a failure in promoting the event in the local area."

In response to comments that the show did not compare to airshows like Fairford's International Air Tattoo, he said: "What we set out to do was to explain what the RAF does, rather than what the aircraft can do, and I think we succeeded in doing that, to those who attended.

"The event was never billed as an airshow like Fairford or Kemble."

Responding to complaints about the use of taxpayers' money in funding the show, Mr Turner said the event, which cost around £500,000, was funded entirely by 3a, which promotes artists including Eric Clapton and Kylie Minogue.

3a were unavailable for comment on the event's success.

However, not all visitors left unimpressed.

Neil Wheatley, from Abingdon, wrote: "I thought it was a great day, well staffed and very, very interesting.

"I enjoyed every aspect of the show and really enjoyed both the ground events and the air show. £25 does not buy you much these days, and I thought it was good value."