RECORD numbers of people turned out in blazing sunshine for the 15th annual Little Gransden Charity Air Show on Saturday. Founder and organiser, Dave Poile said: I have never seen so many people in my life. We have never taken so much money. The weather

RECORD numbers of people turned out in blazing sunshine for the 15th annual Little Gransden Charity Air Show on Saturday.

Founder and organiser, Dave Poile said: "I have never seen so many people in my life. We have never taken so much money. The weather was beautiful and we played the song, Perfect Day. Last Monday and Tuesday when it poured, I thought 'That's it, we've had it' - but it was one of the most successful events ever."

Mr Poile, who received an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours this year, said he estimated that more than 7,000 people had attended the show and that they would beat the £10,000 raised for Children in Need last year. He hoped the charity would receive £15,000 this time around.

The fly-past included four Auroras from the 405 Vancouver Squadron from the Royal Canadian Air Force, the only Commonwealth force to be part of the Pathfinder Force. Watching was Canadian veteran, Robert McWhirter, 83, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after flying 44 missions in Lancasters between 1943 and 1944. Commenting on his remarkable survival having lost so many of his colleagues, he said: "I was one of the lucky ones."

The show also included a display by British Aerobatics Champion, Mark Jeffries, a Spitfire from Biggin Hill, a Mustang from Suffolk and a Kitty Hawk which served in desert campaigns.

There were also some 300 vintage cars, motorcycles, steam engines, a craft fair and side stalls. The East Anglia Air Ambulance, medics charity Magpas and the police helicopter were also present, raising awareness.