Organisers of this year's Great Yorkshire Air Show today offered exhibition space at the event to traders from the cancelled Great Yorkshire Show.

The air show, taking place at Elvington airfield over the August bank holiday weekend and sponsored by the Evening Press, could offer an alternative venue to stallholders who were devastated when the prestigious agricultural show was scrapped because of the foot and mouth outbreak.

Stuart Pickering, of managing agents Manorborn, who are marketing the air show on behalf of Elvington Events, said: "We are well aware of the impact on traders and exhibitors of the loss of the Great Yorkshire Show.

"We simply want to flag up the fact that there is a major show which is still on where they would be most welcome to join in.

"It would seem reasonable, bearing in mind that stallholders had probably budgeted for the show. They now have the money available, presumably, but nowhere to spend it."

Mr Pickering added that Manorborn's intention was not to draw exhibitors away from future Great Yorkshire Shows, although he said it would be good for the future of the air show if they chose to attend both.

"The air show is really going to be an excellent showcase opportunity for traders to take advantage of. Obviously, the more people get involved in the air show, the better it becomes as a family event."

If you are a stallholder from the Great Yorkshire Show, and would like to know about exhibiting at the airshow, ring Manorborn on 01780 753949.

For tickets and other enquiries about the air show, watch this website.

* Mr Pickering also responded to criticism from Elvington householders that airfield staff had burned tyres and trees at the site in preparation for the airshow.

He said the double air crash at the Biggin Hill Airshow earlier this week had pointed to the need for rigid safety rules at air events.

He said: "I think the tragic events at Biggin Hill have shown why safety is the paramount concern, and it was with a view to visitor safety that this action was taken.

"No spectator has been injured at a British airshow since 1952, and that record must be kept up."