Tributes held for Shoreham airshow disaster victims

Large crowds have gathered at Clacton Airshow with organisers paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the Shoreham plane disaster.

Up to 100,000 people are expected to attend each day of the two-day Clacton Airshow in Essex.

It is one of the first major events since 11 people lost their lives in West Sussex and will involve displays by several vintage aircraft.

The recent tragedy was at the forefront of visitors' minds as a tribute to the victims was broadcast before the first flying display got under way.

People in the crowd said the event seemed as busy as previous years.

Nigel Brown, communications manager at event organiser Tendring District Council, said, "We have been considering a whole number of different things over the past few days - but somehow they did not seem appropriate.

"We have to remember this was not a pilot or a display team which lost their lives, they were members of the public who were going about their everyday business.

"It is important that whatever we do does not make family and friends' suffering any worse than it already is."

Carol Jones, 42, from Colchester, attended with her two teenage children.

She said, "Of course we're aware of what happened and you've got to feel for the people who were affected - it's terrible.

"But we've been here in previous years and have no concerns about safety so it didn't really occur to us that we shouldn't come."

Mr Brown said that all those linked with the show would be thinking of all those connected with the Shoreham event.

"We can only imagine what they must be going through at this time and it must be a very difficult period for them," he added.

"Our team has been thinking of them this week as we go about the task of putting on our own show and ensuing that we have the very best possible safety measures in place."