HUNDREDS of people gathered to watch as the Red Arrows flew across the skies of North Yorkshire.

The display, which was part of RAF Linton-On-Ouse’s Family Day, was the first from the legendary aerial team since the death of one of their pilots during an airshow last month.

A spokesman for the Red Arrows said: “The pilots came back to base and prepared for their next display at Church Fenton later that afternoon. It went really well, and the display lasted about 24 minutes.”

Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, 33, was killed during the Bournemouth Air Festival on August 20, when his plane crashed into a field during the display. The team flew without a replacement pilot.

The spokesman said: “The display was as full as we can do in eight-ship formation. Number four was left out, but the display carried on as if there was an aircraft there.” He also confirmed the team had no plans yet for a replacement pilot. Flight Lieutenant Dave Williams, from the airbase, said: “It has gone really well, and the Red Arrows display was excellent.

“We even had a phone call from a resident in Alne who left a message and said they were fantastic, and offered her condolences.”

The family day, which also featured flying displays from Fury, Spitfire and Tucano aircraft, was a lead up to the airbase’s Gala On The Green, and raised money for Easingwold Friends of Chernobyl Children, RAFA, and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.