Red Barrows step in to replace stranded Red Arrows

The Red Arrows will be replaced by a squadron of wheelbarrows at a seaside show after the team was stranded in Canada.

The RAF's aerobatics team was due to perform at the RNLI's Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis, Dorset, at 11:30 BST on Sunday following its tour of the US, but poor weather has grounded the squadron.

However, Devon-based wheelbarrow performance group the Bradninch Red Barrows have stepped in to fill the void left by their high-flying counterparts.

Lifeboat Week lead Mark Ellis said a "squadron of wheelbarrows is not quite what was planned" but the event was delighted to welcome them at such short notice.

The Bradninch Red Barrows were formed to raise money for charities by doing parody displays of the Red Arrows.

The group describes their performances as: "Precision formation flying through rings of fire, smoke trails and death-defying low passes at airshows across the South West."

Eight barrow pilots, two ground crew, a squadron leader, a nurse and an announcer are expected to land in Lyme Regis on for the display.

Red Barrows squadron member Flt Lt Cyclone said: "We are absolutely honoured and particularly because it's raising money for the RNLI.

"This will be the first time out of our home county so an extra honour there and we are very much looking forward to it.

"As always what we do is to bring joy to people and raise money for charity."

Lifeboat Week organisers said the rest of the week would continue as planned, including a display by two Spitfires on Wednesday and a flypast by aircraft of the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on 21 and 22 August.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.