Cosford Air Show displays will not go over M54 - and landowners warned against unauthorised viewing areas

A crackdown on unauthorised viewing areas will take place at this year's RAF Cosford Air Show in the wake of the Shoreham air disaster.

Organisers of the event say they are working with Staffordshire Police and the Military Aviation Authority to drive down the number of pop-up sites.

Cosford Air Show, on June 19, is one of the country's top aviation events and it attracts thousands of people each year from across the UK.

Unauthorised viewing areas have previously popped up in fields around the airfield, with landowners charging members of the public for entry.

Organisers say they have no legal powers to ban them, but they say they will be checking that landowners have the necessary public liability insurance.

Planes will not be flying over the M54 as part of any displays.

Wing Commander Richard Osselton, chairman of the 2016 event, said: "We are working with our local police and traffic managing contractors to put measures in place to deal with unauthorised sites.

Safety message at Cosford Air Show

"Traffic will be monitored and kept moving around the site and we will be speaking to nearby landowner to let them know what they must have in place if they are going to have visitors attend.

"Legally, there is nothing we can do to stop them but landowners must have the necessary public liability insurance to ensure that people are safe on their property.

"The best place to see the show is of course on the official site, RAF Cosford." Planes will fly, as always, to the south of the M54 as part of the display, though they may pass through Telford on their way to the relevant area.

Wing Commander Osselton said: "We are keeping in line with rule five of the civil aviation regulations which states that an aircraft must not take off or land within a congested area of any city, town or settlement.

"The show will take place as usual at the south of the display area though planes may fly over the M54 as it goes through Telford and Shrewsbury in order to get to us prior to the display."

The news comes following an announcement made on Tuesday which revealed that show's main theme is to be the speed and the evolution of the jet engine.

Visitors will have a rare chance to see two Gloster Meteor aircraft, the first British operational jet fighters flying in formation display, as the show marks the the 75th anniversary of the Gloster E.28/39's first flight. Tickets are only available through advance sale and none will be sold on the gate.

Arriva Trains Wales and London Midland have produced a combined entry and travel ticket for £20 for an adult.

For more information, visit www.cosfordairshow.co.uk